CVE-2022-20742: A vulnerability in an IPsec VPN library of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could al...

Description

A vulnerability in an IPsec VPN library of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to read or modify data within an IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel. This vulnerability is due to an improper implementation of Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) ciphers. An attacker in a man-in-the-middle position could exploit this vulnerability by intercepting a sufficient number of encrypted messages across an affected IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel and then using cryptanalytic techniques to break the encryption. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to decrypt, read, modify, and re-encrypt data that is transmitted across an affected IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.4/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

EPSS Probability

0.42%

33.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-325

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Firepower Threat Defense	< 6.4.0.15
Cisco	Firepower Threat Defense	>= 6.5.0, < 6.6.5.2
Cisco	Firepower Threat Defense	>= 7.0.0, < 7.0.2
Cisco	Firepower Threat Defense	7.1.0
Cisco	Adaptive Security Appliance Software	< 9.12.4.38
Cisco	Adaptive Security Appliance Software	>= 9.13.0, < 9.14.4
Cisco	Adaptive Security Appliance Software	>= 9.15.0, < 9.15.1.21
Cisco	Adaptive Security Appliance Software	>= 9.16.0, < 9.16.2.14
Cisco	Adaptive Security Appliance Software	>= 9.17.0, < 9.17.1.7

References

Timeline

Published: May 3, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-20742?

A vulnerability in an IPsec VPN library of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to read or modify data within an IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel. This vulnerability is due to an improper implementation of Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) ciphers. An attacker in a man-in-the-middle position could exploit this vulnerability by intercepting a sufficient number of encrypted messages across an affected IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel and then using cryptanalytic techniques to break the encryption. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to decrypt, read, modify, and re-encrypt data that is transmitted across an affected IPsec IKEv2 VPN tunnel.

How severe is CVE-2022-20742?

CVE-2022-20742 has a CVSS score of 7.4/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-20742?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.