PatchTheCVECVE-2020-8261: A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to arbitrary cookie in
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Routine
MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2020-8261 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting connect secure, policy secure, pulse connect secure. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to arbitrary cookie injection.
Why this priority
- No elevated risk signals yet
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 4.3 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.2% (top 18%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-120 |
| Published | 2020-10-28 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
ivanti connect secure DOWNGRADE
Affected: 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3 · 9.1 r4 · 9.1 r5 · 9.1 r6 · 9.1 r7 · 9.1 r8
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy connect-secure || rpm -q connect-secure || connect-secure --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison connect-secure
sudo apt install connect-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1>
sudo apt-mark hold connect-secure
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list connect-secure
sudo dnf downgrade connect-secure-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1>
sudo dnf versionlock add connect-secure
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
ivanti policy secure DOWNGRADE
Affected: 9.1 r1 · 9.1 r2 · 9.1 r3 · 9.1 r4 · 9.1 r5 · 9.1 r6 · 9.1 r7 · 9.1 r8
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy policy-secure || rpm -q policy-secure || policy-secure --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison policy-secure
sudo apt install policy-secure=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1>
sudo apt-mark hold policy-secure
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list policy-secure
sudo dnf downgrade policy-secure-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.1>
sudo dnf versionlock add policy-secure
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
pulsesecure pulse connect secure UPGRADE
Affected: < 9.1
Fixed in: 9.1
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy pulse-connect-secure || rpm -q pulse-connect-secure || pulse-connect-secure --version
2. UPGRADE to 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pulse-connect-secure
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade pulse-connect-secure
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
pulsesecure pulse policy secure UPGRADE
Affected: < 9.1
Fixed in: 9.1
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy pulse-policy-secure || rpm -q pulse-policy-secure || pulse-policy-secure --version
2. UPGRADE to 9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pulse-policy-secure
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade pulse-policy-secure
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2020-8261?
connect secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; policy secure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pulse connect secure: upgrade to 9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-8261 being exploited?
CVE-2020-8261 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2020-8261 affect?
CVE-2020-8261 affects connect secure, policy secure, pulse connect secure. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse Policy Secure < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to arbitrary cookie injection.
How urgent is CVE-2020-8261?
Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.
Software pages
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