CVE-2025-20206: A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco Secure Client for Windows could allow

Q: How do I fix CVE-2025-20206?

secure client: upgrade to 5.1.8.105. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2025-20206 being exploited?

CVE-2025-20206 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-2025-20206 affect?

CVE-2025-20206 affects secure client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco Secure Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack on an affected device if the Secure Firewall Posture Engine, f

Routine

HIGH 7.1UPGRADE

CVE-2025-20206 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting secure client. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco Secure Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack on an affected device if the Secure Firewall Posture Engine, formerly HostScan, is installed on Cisco Secure Client. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of resources that are loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnera

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 93%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-347
Published	2025-03-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-03-05 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cisco secure client UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.1.8.105

Fixed in: 5.1.8.105

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 5.1.8.105 (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-2025-20206?

secure client: upgrade to 5.1.8.105. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-20206 being exploited?

CVE-2025-20206 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-2025-20206 affect?

CVE-2025-20206 affects secure client. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco Secure Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack on an affected device if the Secure Firewall Posture Engine, f

How urgent is CVE-2025-20206?

Priority 27/100. High severity

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Cisco vulnerabilities

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References

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