CVE-2023-20178: Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

High severity, CVSS 7.8. EPSS: 5.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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 created during the update process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by abusing a specific function of the Windows installer process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.

Affected products

• Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client: before 4.10.07061 (fixed in 4.10.07061)
• Cisco Secure Client: before 5.0.02075 (fixed in 5.0.02075)

Published 2023-06-28. Last modified 2026-10-08.