CVE-2024-20359

CVE-2024-20359 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2024-04-24). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-94.

Key facts

Description

A vulnerability in a legacy capability that allowed for the preloading of VPN clients and plug-ins and that has been available in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges. Administrator-level privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of a file when it is read from system flash memory. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by copying a crafted file to the disk0: file system of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device after the next reload of the device, which could alter system behavior. Because the injected code could persist across device reboots, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-20359?
A vulnerability in a legacy capability that allowed for the preloading of VPN clients and plug-ins and that has been available in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges. Administrator-level privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of a file when it is read from system flash memory. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by copying a crafted file to the disk0: file system of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device after the next reload of the device, which could alter system behavior. Because the injected code could persist across device reboots, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.
How severe is CVE-2024-20359?
CVE-2024-20359 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2024-20359 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2024-20359 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2024-04-24, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
What products are affected by CVE-2024-20359?
CVE-2024-20359 primarily affects Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software. In total, 267 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2024-20359?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
Does CVE-2024-20359 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2024-20359 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-18074. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2024-04-24).
When was CVE-2024-20359 published?
CVE-2024-20359 was published on 2024-04-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (267)

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