Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2020-8218 is a high-severity Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure. Its CVSS base score is 7.2 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059); ranked in the top 2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
A code injection vulnerability tracked as CVE-2020-8218 affects Pulse Connect Secure versions prior to 9.1R8. The flaw, classified under CWE-94, resides in the product's admin web interface and permits an attacker to supply a crafted URI that results in arbitrary code execution on the affected appliance. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability when successfully exploited.
An authenticated administrator can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. Because the attack requires administrative credentials but no user interaction and can be launched remotely, a compromised or malicious admin account is sufficient to obtain full control of the Pulse Connect Secure instance.
Vendor guidance published in Pulse Security Advisory SA44516 recommends upgrading to version 9.1R8 or later to address the code-injection flaw. The same advisory is referenced by CISA within its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities, confirming that the issue has been observed in active exploitation campaigns. Additional technical analysis is available in reporting from GoSecure that examines multiple Pulse Connect Secure issues disclosed around the same period.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2020-29091
Vulnerability Data
A code injection vulnerability exists in Pulse Connect Secure <9.1R8 that allows an attacker to crafted a URI to perform an arbitrary code execution via the admin web interface.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 07 March 2022
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V1.3.1
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Makes persistent code injection into loaded programs impossible when the executable image itself resides on hardware-protected read-only media.
Dynamically generated code can be produced and executed inside the isolated chamber, preventing host compromise from code-injection payloads.
Validates inputs used in dynamic code generation to block injected directives.
Directly prevents execution of attacker-supplied code written into data memory regions.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.PS-06's SDLC practices directly target injection flaws via secure coding and testing (mostly), yet as a single broad outcome it leaves many code-generation specifics unaddressed (partial).
PR.DS-10 protects runtime data confidentiality/integrity but has no bearing on neutralizing externally influenced input during code generation, so neither direction shows any preventive effect.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Banning unapproved code samples and unauthenticated web services, combined with secure-coding standards and SAST, prevents the dynamic generation or inclusion of attacker-supplied code.
Controls that restrict unauthorized or malicious code from being introduced via external networks or removable media limit opportunities for an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code.