CVE-2026-20349: Improper Clearing of Heap Memory Before Release ('Heap Inspection') in Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
CVE-2026-20349 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software. It affects the Remote Access SSL VPN service due to insufficient error checking when processing HTTP requests. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by sending crafted HTTP requests, causing the device to reload unexpectedly and resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.6 and impacts multiple specific versions of the ASA software. No official patch or remediation level has been confirmed yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and FTD software arises from improper handling of HTTP requests in the Remote Access SSL VPN service. Specifically, insufficient error checking allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to send crafted HTTP requests that trigger an unexpected device reload, causing a denial of service. The issue is classified as 'Improper Clearing of Heap Memory Before Release (Heap Inspection)' but the primary impact is DoS due to device reload. The vulnerability affects numerous specific versions of Cisco ASA software as enumerated. There is no vendor advisory or patch information provided to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in the affected Cisco ASA or FTD device reloading unexpectedly, causing a denial of service condition. This disrupts network security functions relying on the device, potentially impacting availability of VPN services. There is no indication of confidentiality or integrity impact. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, organizations should consider limiting exposure of the Remote Access SSL VPN service to untrusted networks and monitor for unusual HTTP traffic patterns targeting this service. Follow Cisco's official security advisories for updates.
CVE-2026-20349: Improper Clearing of Heap Memory Before Release ('Heap Inspection') in Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
Description
CVE-2026-20349 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software. It affects the Remote Access SSL VPN service due to insufficient error checking when processing HTTP requests. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by sending crafted HTTP requests, causing the device to reload unexpectedly and resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.6 and impacts multiple specific versions of the ASA software. No official patch or remediation level has been confirmed yet.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.6high
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and FTD software arises from improper handling of HTTP requests in the Remote Access SSL VPN service. Specifically, insufficient error checking allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to send crafted HTTP requests that trigger an unexpected device reload, causing a denial of service. The issue is classified as 'Improper Clearing of Heap Memory Before Release (Heap Inspection)' but the primary impact is DoS due to device reload. The vulnerability affects numerous specific versions of Cisco ASA software as enumerated. There is no vendor advisory or patch information provided to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in the affected Cisco ASA or FTD device reloading unexpectedly, causing a denial of service condition. This disrupts network security functions relying on the device, potentially impacting availability of VPN services. There is no indication of confidentiality or integrity impact. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, organizations should consider limiting exposure of the Remote Access SSL VPN service to untrusted networks and monitor for unusual HTTP traffic patterns targeting this service. Follow Cisco's official security advisories for updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.413Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7b57f3bf8831d5391555be
Added to database: 08/11/2026, 17:12:19 UTC
Last enriched: 08/11/2026, 23:29:30 UTC
Last updated: 08/12/2026, 02:35:07 UTC
Views: 5
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