A vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to send traffic that should be denied through an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper error handling when an affected device that is joining a cluster runs out of memory while replicating access control rules. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending traffic that should be blocked through the device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass access controls and reach devices in protected networks.
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.8, categorized as medium severity. Organizations should be aware of the potential impacts, including unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.
As of now, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept, but organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent potential abuse.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, indicating improper access control. Affected products include Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and FTD software. The vulnerability was published on March 4, 2026.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper error handling when the device runs out of memory, which allows unauthorized traffic to be processed. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that no special conditions are required for exploitation. No privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk includes the ability for attackers to bypass access controls, potentially allowing them to reach sensitive devices within protected networks. The urgency assessment based on the medium CVSS score indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the latest patches provided by Cisco to remediate this vulnerability. If patches are unavailable, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to affected devices. Regular monitoring for unusual traffic patterns can also aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual traffic that bypasses access controls is critical. Look for behavioral anomalies in network traffic that may indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in access control management. Organizations must remain vigilant and continuously assess their security posture to defend against evolving threats. Regular penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. For further insights, consider reviewing our penetration testing services to improve overall security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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