CVE-2022-20759

A vulnerability in the web services interface for remote access VPN features of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, but unprivileged, remote attacker to elevate privileges to level 15. This vulnerability is due to improper separation of authentication and authorization scopes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS messages to the web services interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain privilege level 15 access to the web management interface of the device. This includes privilege level 15 access to the device using management tools like the Cisco Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM) or the Cisco Security Manager (CSM). Note: With Cisco FTD Software, the impact is lower than the CVSS score suggests because the affected web management interface allows for read access only.

What this means for your business

It affects Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
Code showing how to exploit it has been published, but real attacks have not been confirmed.
An attacker can use it remotely, over a network, with an ordinary user login, and without anyone at your company clicking anything.
FIRST's prediction model gives it a 29% chance of attack attempts being seen in the next 30 days, ranking above 98% of all known flaws.

What to do

1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.

Not sure if your company is exposed?

Fastnexa’s certified penetration testers can check whether attackers could use this flaw, or others like it, against your websites, apps and network. The full test is free for our first 10 founding clients until 31 December 2026.

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Scoring

CVSS: 8.8 (v3.1)
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-266
Assigned by: psirt@cisco.com

Dates

Published: 2022-05-03
Last modified: 2026-08-11
Sources: NVD

Affected products

Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense- 6.4.0.15, 6.5.0 - 6.6.5.2, 6.7.0 - 7.0.2, 7.1.0
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software- 9.12.4.38, 9.13.0 - 9.14.4, 9.15.0 - 9.15.1.21, 9.16.0 - 9.16.2.14, 9.17.0 - 9.17.1.7

As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.