CVE-2020-8256 XML external entity in Pulse Connect Secure
An authenticated attacker can read arbitrary files via an XML External Entity vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure admin interface.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-8256?
CVE-2020-8256 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure, published on 29 Sep 2020. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in the Pulse Connect Secure < 9.1R8.2 admin web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to gain arbitrary file reading access through Pulse Collaboration via XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability.
Weakness: CWE-611
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-8256?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Ivanti Connect Secure, Pulsesecure Pulse Connect Secure.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8256?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-8256 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2020-8256 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-8256 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in Ivanti Connect Secure
- CVE-2021-22893 Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Use-After-Free
- CVE-2019-11510 Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Arbitrary File Read
- CVE-2024-21887 Ivanti Connect Secure and Policy Secure Command Injection
- CVE-2025-22457 Ivanti Connect Secure, Policy Secure, and ZTA Gateways Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
- CVE-2025-0282 Ivanti Connect Secure, Policy Secure, and ZTA Gateways Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Sources
Also known as GHSA-pcw3-p344-q7jr.