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CVE Record

CVE-2020-3310: Cisco Firepower Device Manager On-Box Software XML Parsing Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the XML parser code of Cisco Firepower Device Manager On-Box software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to cause an affected system to become unstable or reload. The vulnerability is due to insufficient hardening of the XML parser configuration. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability in multiple ways using a malicious file: An attacker with administrative privileges could upload a malicious XML file on the system and cause the XML code to parse the malicious file. An attacker with Clientless Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN access could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted XML file. A successful exploit would allow the attacker to crash the XML parser process, which could cause system instability, memory exhaustion, and in some cases lead to a reload of the affected system.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Cisco Firepower vulnerability can let an authenticated remote user make an affected device unstable or reload by causing it to parse a malicious XML file. The business impact is potential security-device disruption, especially where FDM administration or Clientless SSL VPN access is broadly available.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate operational resilience issue for perimeter security infrastructure. Prioritize internet-facing or broadly accessible VPN deployments, but do not treat it as confirmed active exploitation based on the provided evidence.

Technical view

Cisco describes insufficient hardening in the Firepower Device Manager On-Box XML parser. Exploitation requires authenticated access, either administrative upload of malicious XML or Clientless SSL VPN access sending crafted XML. Successful exploitation can crash the parser process, exhaust memory, destabilize the system, or trigger reload.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Cisco Firepower Threat Defense systems using FDM On-Box software, especially where Clientless SSL VPN is enabled or many users have administrative FDM access. The bundle does not provide affected version ranges.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the provided sources, and the CVE is not marked KEV. Attackers need authenticated access, but the attack complexity is low once that access exists.

Researcher notes

The description emphasizes denial of service through XML parsing, while the CVSS vector includes high confidentiality impact. The provided bundle does not explain that discrepancy or include affected version ranges, fixed releases, or workaround details.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Cisco advisory for affected and fixed FTD/FDM versions.
  • Upgrade affected systems according to Cisco guidance.
  • Restrict FDM administrative access to trusted administrators only.
  • Review and limit Clientless SSL VPN access where feasible.
  • Monitor affected devices for unexpected reloads or memory exhaustion.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Cisco Firepower Threat Defense devices using FDM On-Box software.
  • Check whether Clientless SSL VPN is enabled on those devices.
  • Confirm installed versions against the Cisco advisory.
  • Review administrative account scope and recent XML-related activity.
  • Correlate unexpected reloads with authenticated FDM or VPN activity.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-119: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-3310 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L1.24.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-3310Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
CiscoCisco Firepower Threat Defense Softwaren/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-119 · source CWE mapping

Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.