CVE-2020-3452
Cisco ASA and FTD Read-Only Path Traversal Vulnerability
Published Jul 22, 2020 · updated Aug 11, 2026 · cisco adaptive security appliance software
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.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Jul 22, 2020 · Catalog
Detected
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
Nov 3, 2021 · CISA KEV
Known exploited
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
May 3, 2022 · CISA KEV
Remediation due
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Aug 11, 2026 · Catalog
Updated
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
Required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
CISA due date May 3, 2022
Affected
- cpe cisco/adaptive security appliance softwareversion unspecified
- cpe cisco/secure firewall threat defenseversion unspecified
- vendor Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)version unspecified
Sources
- CISA KEVCVE-2020-3452
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 ser
cisa.gov - CVE.orgCVE-2020-3452
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSCVE-2020-3452
30-day exploitation probability 100.0%
first.org - Exploit Database48722
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Exploit Database48871
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Exploit Database49262
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - NIST NVDCVE-2020-3452
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
nvd.nist.gov