CVE-2020-13162

Name: CVE-2020-13162
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-06-16T20:15:13.38+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 0.79%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-13162 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. A time-of-check time-of-use vulnerability in PulseSecureService.exe in Pulse Secure Client versions prior to 9.1.6 down to 5.3 R70 for Windows (which runs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM) allows unprivileged users to run a Microsoft Installer executable with elevated privileges.. EPSS estimates a 0.79% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A time-of-check time-of-use vulnerability in PulseSecureService.exe in Pulse Secure Client versions prior to 9.1.6 down to 5.3 R70 for Windows (which runs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM) allows unprivileged users to run a Microsoft Installer executable with elevated privileges.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.79%

51.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Desktop Client	5.3	R1.0
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Desktop Client	9.0	R1.0
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Desktop Client	9.1	R1.0
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Installer Service	8.3	—
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Installer Service	9.1	—

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158117/Pulse-Secure-Client-For-Windows-Local-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159065/Pulse-Secure-Windows-Client-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Jun/25Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Sep/15Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/?atype=saVendor Advisory
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44503Vendor Advisory
https://twitter.com/gsepcali/status/1262551597990711296Third Party Advisory
https://twitter.com/gsepcali/status/1272927080909623297Third Party Advisory
https://twitter.com/sepcali/status/1262551597990711296Third Party Advisory
https://www.redtimmy.com/privilege-escalation/pulse-secure-client-for-windows-9-1-6-toctou-privilege-escalation-cve-2020-13162/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158117/Pulse-Secure-Client-For-Windows-Local-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159065/Pulse-Secure-Windows-Client-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Jun/25Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Sep/15Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/?atype=saVendor Advisory
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44503Vendor Advisory
https://twitter.com/gsepcali/status/1262551597990711296Third Party Advisory
https://twitter.com/gsepcali/status/1272927080909623297Third Party Advisory
https://twitter.com/sepcali/status/1262551597990711296Third Party Advisory
https://www.redtimmy.com/privilege-escalation/pulse-secure-client-for-windows-9-1-6-toctou-privilege-escalation-cve-2020-13162/Exploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 16, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-13162?

How severe is CVE-2020-13162?

CVE-2020-13162 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.79% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-13162?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-13162?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST