CVE-2023-20178: A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-20178?

anyconnect secure mobility client: upgrade to 4.10.07061; secure client: upgrade to 5.0.02075. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-20178 being exploited?

CVE-2023-20178 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2023-20178 affect?

CVE-2023-20178 affects anyconnect secure mobility client, secure client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to t

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-20178?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-20178 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting anyconnect secure mobility client, secure client. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to those of SYSTEM. The client update process is executed after a successful VPN connection is established. This vulnerability exists because improper permissions are assigned to a temporary directory that is cr

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	5.4% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-276
Published	2023-06-28
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): Cisco Systems, Inc. · Vendor: cisco

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-06-28 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 22:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cisco anyconnect secure mobility client UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.10.07061

Fixed in: 4.10.07061

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy anyconnect-secure-mobility-client || rpm -q anyconnect-secure-mobility-client || anyconnect-secure-mobility-client --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.10.07061 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade anyconnect-secure-mobility-client

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade anyconnect-secure-mobility-client

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

cisco secure client UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.0.02075

Fixed in: 5.0.02075

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy secure-client || rpm -q secure-client || secure-client --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.0.02075 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade secure-client

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade secure-client

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.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-20178?

anyconnect secure mobility client: upgrade to 4.10.07061; secure client: upgrade to 5.0.02075. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-20178 being exploited?

CVE-2023-20178 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-2023-20178 affect?

CVE-2023-20178 affects anyconnect secure mobility client, secure client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to t

How urgent is CVE-2023-20178?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Cisco vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-3433 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED UPGRADE Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows DLL Hijacking Vulnerability
CVE-2020-3153 MEDIUM 6.5 EXPLOITED UPGRADE Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability
CVE-2024-20474 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE A vulnerability in Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) processing of Cisco Secure Client Software could al
CVE-2023-20241 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure Client Software, formerly AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, could al
CVE-2023-20240 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure Client Software, formerly AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, could al

References

← Back to latest CVEs