Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw lets a logged-in local attacker on a Windows machine with Cisco AnyConnect read files they should not be able to access through an exposed IPC function. It is not a remote entry point, but it can expose sensitive local data.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate endpoint confidentiality issue. It is most urgent where AnyConnect runs on shared, kiosk, contractor, or lower-trust Windows systems that may contain sensitive files.
Technical view
CVE-2020-27123 is an arbitrary file read in the IPC channel of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows. The CVSS 3.1 vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Windows endpoints running affected Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client installations where an attacker already has authenticated local access. The source bundle does not enumerate affected or fixed versions.
Exploitation context
The bundle describes exploitation through a crafted IPC message to the AnyConnect process. KEV is false, and no cited source in the bundle supports active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The key weakness is an exposed IPC function, mapped to CWE-749. The source bundle supports arbitrary file read only; it does not support claims of remote exploitation, privilege escalation, code execution, or data modification.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Windows endpoints running Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
- Check Cisco's advisory for affected and fixed software guidance.
- Apply vendor-supported updates or mitigations identified by Cisco.
- Prioritize shared workstations and systems with untrusted local users.
Validation and detection
- Confirm deployed AnyConnect Windows versions against Cisco's advisory.
- Verify vendor remediation is installed on exposed endpoints.
- Review endpoint access controls for unnecessary local user access.
- Document unresolved systems where fixed-version evidence is unavailable.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-749: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-27123 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20201104 Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows Arbitrary File Read VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_CISCO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Exposed Dangerous Method or Function
Exposed Dangerous Method or Function represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.