---
title: "CVE-2020-3259: Cisco ASA and FTD Information Disclosure Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2020-3259/
description: "CVE-2020-3259 (Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). A vulnerability in the web…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2020-05-06
date_modified: 2026-08-12
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2020-3259"
kev: true
cvss: 7.5
epss: 0.715
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2020-3259: Cisco ASA and FTD Information Disclosure Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD). CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-02-15, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-03-07 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target. CISA also lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns .
- EPSS 71.5% , percentile 99: FIRST’s model estimates a 71.5% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.

## What it is

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 retrieve memory contents on an affected device, which could lead to the disclosure of confidential information. The vulnerability is due to a buffer tracking issue when the software parses invalid URLs that are requested from the web services interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted GET request to the web services interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to retrieve memory contents, which could lead to the disclosure of confidential information. Note: This vulnerability affects only specific AnyConnect and WebVPN configurations. For more information, see the Vulnerable Products section.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Cisco Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software: see advisory

## Severity

- cisco CVSS 3.0: 7.5 `CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2024-02-15; federal due date 2024-03-07. Known ransomware use: Known.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable yes , technical impact partial .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 71.50% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.

## Sources

- [20200506 Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software and Firepower Threat Defense Software Web Services Information Disclosure Vulnerability](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-info-disclose-9eJtycMB)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2020-3259](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-3259)
- [NVD entry CVE-2020-3259](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3259)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3259)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2020-3259/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt