What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-8256?

CVE-2020-8256 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.9 (Medium). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. EPSS exploitation probability: 3.4%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2020-8256?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2020-8256. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 3.4%.

Pulse Connect Secure CVE-2020-8256

MEDIUM

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611)

2020-09-30 support@hackerone.com

XXE Ivanti Connect Secure Pulse Connect Secure Pulsesecure

4.9

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-611 OWASP Top 10:2025 A02:2025 - Security Misconfiguration ASVS 5.0 V13 - Configuration XML external entity prevention MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 4.9 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing by sending crafted requests to the affected application.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).

No patch listed yet 3.4% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

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. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Disable external entity processing in XML parsers, use JSON instead of XML where possible.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as XML External Entity (XXE) (CWE-611), which allows attackers to read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing. 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. Affected products include: Ivanti Connect Secure, Pulsesecure Pulse Connect Secure.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 4.9 MEDIUM

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

High

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

None

Availability

None

DescriptionNVD

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

3.4%

Top 13% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

2 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity MEDIUM

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 3.4%

Patch available No

Active threat No

Deciding rule

MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +3

CVSS: +24

PoC: +20

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

XML External Entity Injection HIGH

XML External Entity (XXE) attacks exploit XML parsers that process Document Type Definitions (DTDs) without proper restrictions.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r3:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r5:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r6:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r7:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r8:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:ivanti:connect_secure:9.1:r8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_connect_secure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-611 – Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

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References

Advisories & patches

ADVISORY https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44588

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