CVE-2020-8239

Name: CVE-2020-8239
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-28T13:15:12.307+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 2.00%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-8239 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to the client registry privilege escalation attack. This fix also requires Server Side Upgrade due to Standalone Host Checker Client (Windows) and Windows PDC.. EPSS estimates a 2.00% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 is vulnerable to the client registry privilege escalation attack. This fix also requires Server Side Upgrade due to Standalone Host Checker Client (Windows) and Windows PDC.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.00%

78.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Desktop Client	< 9.1	—
Pulsesecure	Pulse Secure Desktop Client	9.1	R1

References

https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44601Vendor Advisory
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44601Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 28, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-8239?

How severe is CVE-2020-8239?

CVE-2020-8239 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.00% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8239?

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-2020-8239?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST