CVE-2020-3153 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

Q: Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛑 **CWE**: CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element). 🔍 **Flaw**: The installer fails to properly handle directory paths. It allows relative paths to escape the intended installation folder.

Q: Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

🏢 **Vendor**: Cisco. 💻 **Product**: AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows. 📅 **Affected**: Versions **before 4.8.02042**. 📦 **Component**: The installation/auto-update process.

Q: Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚠️ **Threshold**: Medium. 🖱️ **Requirement**: User must run the installer or trigger an auto-update. 🚫 **Auth**: No remote network exploit needed; requires local interaction or social engineering to trigger the update.

Q: How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Verify installed version. 📉 **Rule**: If version < **4.8.02042**, you are vulnerable. 📂 **Scan**: Look for unauthorized DLLs in `Program Files (x86)/Cisco/Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client/Plugins/`.

Q: Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

✅ **Fixed?**: YES. 🛡️ **Patch**: Upgrade to version **4.8.02042** or later. 📢 **Source**: Cisco Security Advisory confirms the fix is available.

Q: Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: HIGH. 🎯 **Priority**: Critical for Windows endpoints. 🚀 **Reason**: Easy to exploit for SYSTEM access. 📢 **Action**: Patch immediately or apply strict mitigation controls.

Updated May 06, 2026

This is a summary of the AI-generated 10-question deep analysis. The full version (longer answers, follow-up Q&A, related CVEs) requires login. Read the full analysis →

Q1What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: Path Traversal in Cisco AnyConnect installer. 📉 **Consequences**: Attackers can trick the installer into writing malicious files to system directories.…

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Q2Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛑 **CWE**: CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element). 🔍 **Flaw**: The installer fails to properly handle directory paths. It allows relative paths to escape the intended installation folder.

Q3Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

🏢 **Vendor**: Cisco. 💻 **Product**: AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows. 📅 **Affected**: Versions **before 4.8.02042**. 📦 **Component**: The installation/auto-update process.

Q4What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

👑 **Privileges**: Gains **SYSTEM** level access. 📂 **Data**: Can execute arbitrary code.…

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Q5Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚠️ **Threshold**: Medium. 🖱️ **Requirement**: User must run the installer or trigger an auto-update. 🚫 **Auth**: No remote network exploit needed; requires local interaction or social engineering to trigger the update.

Q6Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔓 **Public Exp?**: YES. 📂 **PoCs**: Available on GitHub (e.g., `shubham0d/CVE-2020-3153`).…

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Q7How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Verify installed version. 📉 **Rule**: If version < **4.8.02042**, you are vulnerable. 📂 **Scan**: Look for unauthorized DLLs in `Program Files (x86)/Cisco/Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client/Plugins/`.

Q8Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

✅ **Fixed?**: YES. 🛡️ **Patch**: Upgrade to version **4.8.02042** or later. 📢 **Source**: Cisco Security Advisory confirms the fix is available.

Q9What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **No Patch?**: Disable auto-updates. 🛑 **Restrict**: Limit user permissions to prevent running installers. 🧹 **Monitor**: Watch for new DLLs in the AnyConnect installation directory.…

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Q10Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: HIGH. 🎯 **Priority**: Critical for Windows endpoints. 🚀 **Reason**: Easy to exploit for SYSTEM access. 📢 **Action**: Patch immediately or apply strict mitigation controls.

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Vulnerability detail Full AI analysis (login) Cisco CWE-427