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Weekly Signal
Live intelligence Updated 19 Aug 2026 · 12:58 UTC

Cisco · Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Secure Firewall Threat Defense

CVE-2020-3452

Cisco ASA and FTD Read-Only Path Traversal Vulnerability

Recommended action

Validate affected assets and exposure now, then remediate on an accelerated schedule. Apply updates per vendor instructions.

View response plan
CVSS7.5
EPSS100.0%
KEVYes
ExploitationConfirmed exploitation
PatchPatch or guidance available ↓

Assessment

Why it matters

CISA lists this vulnerability as known to be exploited; exploitation is confirmed; EPSS is 100.0%; technical severity is CVSS 7.5.

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.

Who should care

  • Teams operating Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Secure Firewall Threat Defense
  • Vulnerability and exposure management teams
  • Security operations teams monitoring exploitation activity

Response plan

What I would do

  1. Confirm whether Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Secure Firewall Threat Defense is present in the environment.
  2. Identify affected versions and establish whether vulnerable services are exposed or reachable.
  3. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. Review relevant security telemetry for evidence of attempted or successful exploitation.
  5. Document the remediation decision and track it to verified completion.

Vendor remediation

Patch and remediation links

Use the vendor source below to confirm the correct fixed version, package or mitigation for your affected product.

Technical details

CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CWE
CWE-20
Affected versions
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD); Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software (Start Including: 9.14, End Excluding: 9.14.1.10); Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (Start Including: 6.6.0, End Excluding: 6.6.0.1)
Published
22 July 2020
Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None

Signal timeline

  1. CVE published
  2. Added to CISA KEV
  3. Latest EPSS score: 100.0%
  4. Signal calculated at 83

External references

Live public intelligence This assessment combines public-source evidence. Validate the affected product, version and exposure against your own environment before making a risk decision.