# CVE-2020-3452: Cisco ASA and FTD Read-Only Path Traversal Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-3452-cisco-asa-and-ftd-read-only-path-traversal-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-3452 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software contain an improper input validation vulnerability in their web services interface. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by sending crafted HTTP requests with directory traversal sequences to read sensitive files within the web services file system. This vulnerability specifically affects devices configured with WebVPN or AnyConnect features.

Technologies: [Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/adaptive-security-appliance-asa), [Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/firepower-threat-defense-ftd). Vendors: [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-3452 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-3452 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-3452?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software; Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-3452?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-3452 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-3452?** Check whether you run Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) or Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD). Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
- Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software

## Timeline

- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2021-11-03: disclosed: Publication date of the advisory.
- exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild.

## Related threats

- [Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-2120-cisco-adaptive-security-appliance-asa-cross-site-scripting-xss)
- [Cisco ASA and FTD Denial-of-Service Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-20481-cisco-asa-and-ftd-denial-of-service-vulnerability)
- [Cisco ASA and FTD Denial of Service Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-20353-cisco-asa-and-ftd-denial-of-service-vulnerability)
- [Cisco ASA and FTD Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-20359-cisco-asa-and-ftd-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [SafePay ransomware campaign](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-3259-cisco-asa-and-ftd-information-disclosure-vulnerability)