CVE-2020-3452
Cisco ASA and FTD Read-Only Path Traversal Vulnerability
Does this matter?
Known to be exploited in the wild (CISA KEV, CISA remediation deadline 3 May 2022). Treat as an emergency change: patch or isolate now, then hunt for prior compromise.
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.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- EPSS
- 99.99% probability · 100th percentile
- Public exploits
- 3 in Exploit-DB · first 28 July 2020
- CISA KEV
- Listed 3 November 2021 · due 3 May 2022
- Weakness
- CWE-20, CWE-22
- Affected
- cisco/adaptive security appliance software · cisco/secure firewall threat defense
- Source
- psirt@cisco.com
EPSS 100.0% since 26 October 2026; no change recorded yet. The dashed line is the ten per cent mark our analysts treat as “patch before the next change window”. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
CISA notes
Apply updates per vendor instructions. https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3452
Public exploits (3)
Entries in Exploit-DB that cite this CVE. Links go to the Exploit-DB page and to the file in the public repository; nothing is hosted here. A verified tick means the Exploit-DB team confirmed the exploit works against the stated version.
| EDB-ID | Title | Type | Published | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDB-49262source ↗ | Cisco ASA 9.14.1.10 and FTD 6.6.0.1 - Path Traversal (2)hardware · Freakyclown | webapps | 15 December 2020 | no |
| EDB-48871source ↗ | Cisco ASA and FTD 9.6.4.42 - Path Traversalhardware · 3ndG4me | webapps | 12 October 2020 | no |
| EDB-48722source ↗ | Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.11 - Local File Inclusionhardware · 0xmmnbassel | webapps | 28 July 2020 | no |
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158646/Cisco-ASA-FTD-Remote-File-Disclosure.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158647/Cisco-Adaptive-Security-Appliance-Software-9.11-Local-File-Inclusion.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159523/Cisco-ASA-FTD-9.6.4.42-Path-Traversal.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160497/Cisco-ASA-9.14.1.10-FTD-6.6.0.1-Path-Traversal.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-ro-path-KJuQhB86Vendor Advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158646/Cisco-ASA-FTD-Remote-File-Disclosure.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158647/Cisco-Adaptive-Security-Appliance-Software-9.11-Local-File-Inclusion.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159523/Cisco-ASA-FTD-9.6.4.42-Path-Traversal.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160497/Cisco-ASA-9.14.1.10-FTD-6.6.0.1-Path-Traversal.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-ro-path-KJuQhB86Vendor Advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3452US Government Resource
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.