{"id":"CVE-2023-20178","title":"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 t…","summary":"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 t…","severity":"high","cvss":7.8,"cvssVector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H","cwe":["CWE-276","CWE-276"],"vendor":"cisco","product":"anyconnect_secure_mobility_client","affected":["anyconnect_secure_mobility_client < 4.10.07061","secure_client < 5.0.02075"],"patched":["anyconnect_secure_mobility_client 4.10.07061","secure_client 5.0.02075"],"published":"2023-06-28","updated":"2026-10-08","sourceUpdated":"2026-10-08T22:17:22.420","source":"NVD","sourceUrl":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20178","references":[{"url":"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-csc-privesc-wx4U4Kw","label":"psirt@cisco.com"},{"url":"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ac-csc-privesc-wx4U4Kw","label":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"}],"tags":["nvd","exploit-available"],"epss":0.05374,"epssPercentile":0.92452,"exploits":{"github":1,"githubRepos":["https://github.com/Wh04m1001/CVE-2023-20178"],"checkedAt":"2026-10-08T23:17:21.759Z"},"exploitAvailable":true,"ingestedAt":"2026-10-08T23:16:47.350Z","slug":"CVE-2023-20178","body":"## Overview\n\nA 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.\r\n\r 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.\n\n## Affected\n\n- `anyconnect_secure_mobility_client < 4.10.07061`\n- `secure_client < 5.0.02075`\n\n## Remediation\n\nUpgrade past the affected range:\n\n- `anyconnect_secure_mobility_client 4.10.07061`\n- `secure_client 5.0.02075`","depth":"midnight","depthScore":56,"depthScoreParts":{"impact":42.9,"likelihood":1.1,"exploitation":12,"ransomware":0},"changes":[]}