CVE-2020-3153
Published: October 24, 2022
Official Description
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows allows for incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker with valid credentials on Windows would be able to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks.
CISA KEV Advisory
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Vulnerability
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows allows for incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker with valid credentials on Windows would be able to copy malicious files to arbitrary locations with system level privileges. This could include DLL pre-loading, DLL hijacking, and other related attacks.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
This high-severity vulnerability in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows allows an attacker with valid credentials to copy malicious files to arbitrary system-level locations. This could lead to DLL pre-loading, hijacking, and other privilege escalation attacks. With confirmed exploitation in the wild and an EPSS score of 0.25087, this is a critical flaw.
This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild and is included in CISA's KEV catalog. Exploitation requires valid user credentials on the Windows system.
Apply all available security updates for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows. Implement strong endpoint security measures and monitor for suspicious file operations.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2020-3153 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2020-3153 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (2)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2020-3153 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1