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Cisco disclosed a directory traversal vulnerability, CVE-2020-3452, affecting the web services interface of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. The flaw stems from improper input validation of URLs in HTTP requests and allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to send crafted requests containing traversal sequences to read sensitive files from the device's web services file system.
The issue is exploitable when WebVPN or AnyConnect features are configured on affected devices. Reporting indicates the vulnerability does not provide access to ASA or FTD system files or to the underlying operating system, but it can still expose sensitive information stored within the web services environment, creating a significant risk for organizations using these remote access services.
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Cisco published a security advisory for CVE-2020-3452, an unauthenticated directory traversal vulnerability in the web services interface of Cisco ASA and Firepower Threat Defense software. The flaw allows remote attackers to read sensitive files from the web services file system on affected devices when WebVPN or AnyConnect is configured.
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Multiple critical vulnerabilities have been discovered in the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) WebVPN components, which are being actively exploited in the wild. The vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2025-20362, CVE-2025-20333, and CVE-2025-20363, allow attackers to bypass authentication and achieve remote code execution (RCE) as root on affected devices. CVE-2025-20362 is an unauthenticated authorization bypass that enables attackers to access restricted endpoints without valid credentials, serving as a key component in exploit chains. When combined with CVE-2025-20333, attackers can send malicious HTTPS requests to execute arbitrary code as root, even without prior authentication. CVE-2025-20363 is a related flaw that also enables unauthenticated RCE on ASA/FTD devices and authenticated RCE on some Cisco IOS components. These vulnerabilities affect Cisco ASA versions 9.16 through 9.23 and Cisco FTD versions 7.0 through 7.7, with specific software images requiring validation against Cisco advisories. Cisco and CISA have confirmed active exploitation and widespread scanning for these vulnerabilities, prompting CISA to issue Emergency Directive 25-03 on September 25, 2025, mandating immediate action by federal agencies. The threat actor responsible for these attacks is attributed to the same group behind the ArcaneDoor (UAT4356) state-sponsored espionage campaign first observed in 2024. Organizations are urged to patch or upgrade to Cisco’s fixed releases without delay, and to restrict or disable vulnerable devices if immediate upgrades are not possible. Compromised devices should be isolated and thoroughly investigated for signs of threat actor presence. Cisco has provided detailed guidance for detection, and CISA’s Malware Next Generation tool can be used to hunt for indicators of compromise. Security researchers, including Rapid7, have published technical analyses and exploit chains demonstrating the severity and ease of exploitation. The vulnerabilities are considered highly critical due to their unauthenticated nature and the potential for full device compromise, which could lead to further lateral movement within affected networks. The rapid response from both Cisco and CISA underscores the urgency and scale of the threat. Organizations using Cisco ASA or FTD devices should assume exposure if running affected versions and prioritize remediation. The vulnerabilities highlight the ongoing targeting of network edge devices by sophisticated threat actors, particularly those engaged in espionage. Failure to address these vulnerabilities could result in significant operational disruption and data compromise. The security community continues to monitor for new exploitation techniques and advises ongoing vigilance. The release of proof-of-concept code and active scanning increases the risk of opportunistic attacks by additional threat actors. Timely patching and adherence to Cisco and CISA recommendations are essential to mitigate risk from these critical vulnerabilities.
Jun 29, 2026
Cisco has disclosed multiple critical zero-day vulnerabilities affecting its Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software, which are actively being exploited in the wild. The vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2025-20362 and CVE-2025-20333, impact the VPN web server component of these devices and can lead to remote code execution or unauthorized access. According to Cisco's advisory, CVE-2025-20362 allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to access restricted URL endpoints without authentication by sending specially crafted HTTP requests. CVE-2025-20333, on the other hand, enables authenticated attackers with valid VPN credentials to execute arbitrary code as root, potentially resulting in full device compromise. CISA has responded by adding both vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog and issuing an emergency directive (ED 25-03) that requires federal agencies to identify, analyze, and mitigate any potential compromises immediately. The vulnerabilities stem from improper validation of user-supplied input in HTTP(S) requests, making it possible for attackers to bypass security controls. Cisco has provided a list of vulnerable configurations, including those using AnyConnect IKEv2 Remote Access with client services enabled. The CVE-2025-20333 vulnerability is rated as critical with a CVSS score of 9.9, underscoring the severity of the threat. Exploitation of these flaws could allow attackers to gain root-level access, execute arbitrary code, and take full control of affected devices. The vulnerabilities affect a wide range of Cisco products, including ASA, FTD, and potentially IOS, IOS XE, and IOS XR software, as described in related advisories. Cisco has urged all customers to apply patches immediately to prevent exploitation. The vulnerabilities are being actively targeted, increasing the urgency for organizations to remediate affected systems. Attackers exploiting these flaws could use compromised devices as entry points into broader enterprise networks. The technical details highlight the importance of proper input validation in web services exposed to the internet. Organizations are advised to review their firewall configurations and ensure that all relevant updates are applied. The rapid response from CISA and Cisco reflects the high risk posed by these vulnerabilities to both public and private sector networks. Security teams should monitor for signs of compromise and follow Cisco's mitigation guidance to reduce exposure. The incident demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by zero-day vulnerabilities in widely deployed network security appliances.
Jun 29, 2026
Cisco disclosed multiple vulnerabilities affecting **Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)**, **Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD)**, and **Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)** software, including a **remote code execution** flaw tied to RADIUS handling in FMC and a separate **authentication bypass** issue in on-premises FMC. Additional advisories describe a **path traversal** vulnerability in FMC and FTD, expanding the risk to core firewall management and security enforcement platforms used in enterprise environments. The broader set of advisories also includes a **Snort deep inspection bypass** in FTD, a **TLS/Snort 3 denial-of-service** issue, a **SAML reflected cross-site scripting** flaw affecting ASA and FTD, a **VPN web services client-side request smuggling** vulnerability, and a **Lua code injection** bug in ASA and FTD. Taken together, the disclosures show that Cisco firewall products were exposed to weaknesses spanning **code execution, access control, traffic inspection evasion, denial of service, and web interface exploitation**, creating multiple paths for attackers to disrupt defenses or gain elevated access if affected systems remain unpatched.
Jul 12, 2026