Cisco Security Advisory
Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance and Secure Firewall Threat Defense Software Access Control List Bypass Vulnerability
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CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
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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.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-asaftd-aclbypass-dos-CVxVRSvQThis advisory is part of the March 2026 release of the Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: March 2026 Semiannual Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.
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Vulnerable Products
At the time of publication, this vulnerability affected Cisco devices if they were running a vulnerable release of Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software or Secure FTD Software and were deployed in a cluster configuration.
For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.
Determine the Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and Secure FTD Device Cluster Configuration
To determine whether a device is configured as part of a cluster deployment, use the show cluster info command on the device CLI. If the device is running in a cluster configuration, the command returns general cluster information, which includes the cluster name, status, cluster nodes, and their states, as shown in the following example:
# show cluster info
Cluster stbu: On
This is "C" in state DATA_NODE
ID : 0
Site ID : 1
Version : 9.5(1)
Serial No.: P3000000025
CCL IP : 10.0.0.3
CCL MAC : 000b.fcf8.c192
Last join : 17:08:59 UTC Feb 26 2026
Last leave: N/A
Other members in the cluster:
Unit "D" in state DATA_NODE
ID : 1
Site ID : 1
Version : 9.5(1)
Serial No.: P3000000001
CCL IP : 10.0.0.4
CCL MAC : 000b.fcf8.c162
Last join : 19:13:11 UTC Feb 25 2026
Last leave: N/A
Unit "A" in state CONTROL_NODE
ID : 2
Site ID : 2
Version : 9.5(1)
Serial No.: JAB0815R0JY
CCL IP : 10.0.0.1
CCL MAC : 000f.f775.541e
Last join : 19:13:20 UTC Feb 25 2026
Last leave: N/A
Unit "B" in state DATA_NODE
ID : 3
Site ID : 2
Version : 9.5(1)
Serial No.: P3000000191
CCL IP : 10.0.0.2
CCL MAC : 000b.fcf8.c61e
Last join : 19:13:50 UTC Feb 25 2026
Last leave: 19:13:36 UTC Feb 25 2026When not running in a cluster configuration, the show cluster info will indicate a cluster is not configured or show no cluster-related information, as shown in the following example:
# show cluster info
Clustering is not configured
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software.
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When a node is joining a cluster, memory exhaustion during the rule replication process can happen when the replicated configuration includes access control lists (ACLs) with a large number of access control entries (ACEs). As a result, the node may join the cluster with an incomplete ACL, which can cause legitimate traffic to be dropped or allow traffic that should have been denied to flow through an affected device.
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There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
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Cisco considers any workarounds and mitigations (if applicable) to be temporary solutions until an upgrade to a fixed software release is available. To fully remediate this vulnerability and avoid future exposure as described in this advisory, Cisco strongly recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software indicated in this advisory.
Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software
To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities that are described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).
To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to search for vulnerabilities that affect a specific software release. To use the form, follow these steps:
- Choose which advisories the tool will search-all advisories, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or only this advisory.
- Choose the appropriate software.
- Choose the appropriate platform.
- Enter a release number-for example, 9.20.3.4 for Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software or 7.4.2 for Cisco Secure FTD Software.
- Click Check.
For instructions on upgrading a Cisco Secure FTD device, see the appropriate Cisco Secure FMC upgrade guide.
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The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
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This vulnerability was found during the resolution of a Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support case.
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.0 Initial public release. - Final 2026-MAR-04
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SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool. Please note that customers may download only software that was procured from Cisco directly or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner and for which the license is still valid.
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for the relevant Cisco products to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution. In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER DETAILS
CISCO DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, CISCO DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS INFORMATION. THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.
Copies or summaries of the information contained in this Security Advisory may lack important information or contain factual errors. Customers are advised to visit the Cisco Security Advisories page for the most recent version of this Security Advisory. The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) assesses only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory. See the Cisco Security Vulnerability Policy for more information.