CVE-2020-3433 HIGH

CVE-2020-3433: Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows DLL Hijacking Vulnerability

Vendor Cisco
Product Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Weakness CWE-427
KEV Status Known Exploited
Ransomware Used in campaigns
Published August 17, 2020
Last update October 21, 2025

CVSS base score

7.8/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required Low
User interaction None
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

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

What the vulnerability does

01Description

A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL hijacking attack. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the Windows system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of resources that are loaded by the application at run time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted IPC message to the AnyConnect process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected machine with SYSTEM privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the Windows system.

CISA mandated remediation

02CISA Required Action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Key dates

03Disclosure timeline

August 17, 2020 CVE published
October 21, 2025 Record updated