Security News > 2023 > June > Exploit released for Cisco AnyConnect bug giving SYSTEM privileges
Proof-of-concept exploit code is now available for a high-severity flaw in Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows that can let attackers elevate privileges to SYSTEM. Cisco Secure Client helps employees to work from anywhere using a secure Virtual Private Network and provides network admins with telemetry and endpoint management features.
Cisco released security updates to address this security bug last Tuesday when it said its Product Security Incident Response Team did not have evidence of malicious use or public exploit code targeting the bug in the wild.
CVE-2023-20178 was fixed with the release of AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows 4.10MR7 and Cisco Secure Client for Windows 5.0MR2. Earlier this week, proof-of-concept exploit code was published by security researcher Filip Dragović who found and reported the Arbitrary File Delete vulnerability to Cisco.
As Dragović explains, this PoC was tested against Cisco Secure Client and Cisco AnyConnect.
In October, Cisco warned customers to patch two more AnyConnect security flaws because of active exploitation in attacks.
Two years ago, Cisco patched an AnyConnect zero-day with public exploit code in May 2021, six months after its initial disclosure in November 2020,.
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Related Vulnerability
| DATE | CVE | VULNERABILITY TITLE | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-28 | CVE-2023-20178 | Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client and Secure Client A vulnerability in the client update process of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software for Windows and Cisco Secure Client Software for Windows could allow a low-privileged, authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to those of SYSTEM. | 7.8 |