CVE-2020-3452

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD): ASA and FTD Read-Only Path Traversal

As of , CVE-2020-3452 in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) is on CISA's list of exploited vulnerabilities: CISA listed it on . Our patch-first group: Patch this week.

Exploited
Yes: CISA listed it on 3 November 2021
US federal deadline
3 May 2022181 days after CISA listed it. US federal civilian agencies must fix it by then.
Used in ransomware campaigns
Not known to CISA
EPSS score
0.99Higher than 99% of the CVEs EPSS scores. EPSS estimates the chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days.
EPSS when listed
Not availableCISA listed it before 4 February 2022, where the EPSS files we read begin.
Public exploit
3 Exploit-DB entries
Fix
No vendor link in CISA's entry

What CISA says to do

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA's required action

What the flaw is

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) contain an improper input validation vulnerability when HTTP requests process URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request containing directory traversal character sequences to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view arbitrary files within the web services file system on the targeted device.

CISA's description

A vulnerability in the web services interface of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct directory traversal attacks and read sensitive files on a targeted system. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper input validation of URLs in HTTP requests processed by an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request containing directory traversal character sequences to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view arbitrary files within the web services file system on the targeted device. The web services file system is enabled when the affected device is configured with either WebVPN or AnyConnect features. This vulnerability cannot be used to obtain access to ASA or FTD system files or underlying operating system (OS) files.

The CVE record's description, from cisco

CVE published
22 July 2020
Assigned by
cisco
CVSS
7.5 High (CVSS 3.1, from the CNA)
CWE-20
Improper Input Validation
CISA SSVC, exploitation
active
CISA SSVC, automatable
yes
CISA SSVC, technical impact
partial

Timeline

  1. The CVE record was published.
  2. Exploit-DB published an exploit (EDB-ID 48722).
  3. Exploit-DB published an exploit (EDB-ID 48871).
  4. Exploit-DB published an exploit (EDB-ID 49262).
  5. CISA added it to its list of exploited vulnerabilities.
  6. The US federal deadline to fix it.

Public exploits

Facts from Metasploit's module list and Exploit-DB's index; we never copy exploit code.

Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD): other exploited entries

VulnerabilityProductOur groupListedDeadlineEPSS
CVE-2024-20353ASA and FTD Denial of ServiceCisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)Patch this weekEPSS 0.710.71
CVE-2020-3259ASA and FTD Information DisclosureCisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)Patch this weekRansomware use; EPSS 0.720.72
CVE-2020-3580ASA and FTD Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)Patch this weekRansomware use; EPSS 0.860.86
CVE-2024-20359ASA and FTD Privilege EscalationCisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)Patch soon0.19
CVE-2024-20481ASA and FTD Denial-of-ServiceCisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)Patch soon0.16

Read further