CVE-2020-8254

Name: CVE-2020-8254
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-28T13:15:12.747+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 2.03%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-8254 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 has Remote Code Execution (RCE) if users can be convinced to connect to a malicious server. This vulnerability only affects Windows PDC.To improve the security of connections between Pulse clients and Pulse Connect Secure, see below recommendation(s):Disable Dynamic certificate trust for PDC.. EPSS estimates a 2.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the Pulse Secure Desktop Client < 9.1R9 has Remote Code Execution (RCE) if users can be convinced to connect to a malicious server. This vulnerability only affects Windows PDC.To improve the security of connections between Pulse clients and Pulse Connect Secure, see below recommendation(s):Disable Dynamic certificate trust for PDC.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.03%

78.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

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-2020-8254?

How severe is CVE-2020-8254?

CVE-2020-8254 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.03% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8254?

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-2020-8254?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST