ArcaneDoor - New espionage-focused campaign found targeting perimeter network devices
Cisco has identified two vulnerabilities that were abused in this campaign (CVE-2024-20353 and CVE-2024-20359).
5 passages name itOriginal (opens in a new tab) ↗
CVE-2024-20359 KEVPublic exploit Medium · 6.0 EPSS 18.8%
Cisco ASA and FTD Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Cisco · Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD)
Summary
The flaw is an improper validation of files read from system flash memory in the legacy capability that preloads VPN clients and plug-ins, affecting Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. An authenticated local attacker with administrator-level privileges can exploit it by copying a crafted file to the disk0: file system, which can lead to arbitrary code execution with root privileges after the next device reload, and the injected code can persist across reboots.
Official description · NVD
A vulnerability in a legacy capability that allowed for the preloading of VPN clients and plug-ins and that has been available in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges. Administrator-level privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of a file when it is read from system flash memory. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by copying a crafted file to the disk0: file system of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device after the next reload of the device, which could alter system behavior. Because the injected code could persist across device reboots, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.
Priority scorePatchfirst’s 0 to 100 ranking. It adds points for CISA KEV listing, ransomware use, EPSS, threat reports, public exploit code and CVSS. Every CVE page shows the breakdown. Breakdown
82.8 / 100
- Exploited
- Yes, in CISA KEV
- Reports
- 2
- Tactics
- 5/15
How an attack unfolds
Based on MITRE ATT&CKA public catalogue of the techniques attackers use, maintained by MITRE. Patchfirst uses it to describe what attackers do with a vulnerability. mappings. Select a step to see the evidence.Exploitation timelineDated milestones for a CVE: when it was disclosed, when exploit code became public, when exploitation was confirmed, and when threat reports named it.
First seen exploited the day it was disclosed.
- DisclosedFirst seen exploitedVulnCheck KEV evidenceAdded to CISA KEVEU database agreesNamed in a threat reportblog.talosintelligence.comday 0
CISA KEV listing is when exploitation was confirmed, not necessarily the first attack.
MITRE ATT&CKA public catalogue of the techniques attackers use, maintained by MITRE. Patchfirst uses it to describe what attackers do with a vulnerability. techniques
3 TechniqueOne specific attacker behaviour in MITRE ATT&CK, such as T1190 “Exploit Public-Facing Application”. IDs with a dot, like T1059.004, are sub-techniques., grouped by TacticThe attacker’s goal at a stage of an attack in MITRE ATT&CK, such as Initial Access or Persistence. Each technique belongs to one or more tactics. in kill-chain order 3Initial AccessTA0001
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · how it is exploited
This vulnerability is exploited by an authenticated, local attacker in order to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges by copying a crafted file to the disk0: file system. This is possible due to improper validation of a file when it is read from system flash memory. This vulnerability is associated with an attack campaign named ArcaneDoor in early 2024. This campaign targeted this vulnerability among others to implant malware, execute commands, and potentially exfiltrate data from compromised devices.
ExecutionTA0002
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · primary impact
PersistenceTA0003
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity
Detection
0 rules for this CVE · 151 general rules for its techniquesRules for this CVE
0Sigma ruleAn open, vendor-neutral detection rule for log data. Security teams convert Sigma rules into searches for their own SIEM. that reference CVE-2024-20359 directly.CVE-specific rules are not available in this build. Search SigmaHQ ↗
General rules for this CVE’s techniques
These detect the technique in general, not this specific vulnerability.
Valid AccountsT107856 general rules
- Win Susp Computer Name Containing Samtheadmincriticaltest
- Account Created And Deleted Within A Close Time Framehightest
- Activity From Anonymous IP Addresshightest
- Atypical Travelhightest
- Azure AD Threat Intelligencehightest
- Azure Subscription Permission Elevation Via AuditLogshightest
- External Remote SMB Logon from Public IPhightest
- Impossible Travelhightest
Command and Scripting InterpreterT105995 general rules
- HackTool - Sliver C2 Implant Activity Patterncriticaltest
- Lazarus Group Activitycriticaltest
- REvil Kaseya Incident Malware Patternscriticaltest
- Turla Group Lateral Movementcriticaltest
- Windows Defender AMSI Trigger Detectedhighstable
- Windows Defender Threat Detectedhighstable
- Abusable DLL Potential Sideloading From Suspicious Locationhightest
- Add Insecure Download Source To Wingethightest
Sigma rules © SigmaHQ, Detection Rule License 1.1; linked, not reproduced.
What security researchers reported
Named in 2 threat reports2 reportsCisco Taloscyber.gc.caApr 2024 · 1 undated
Reports are matched by finding the exact id CVE-2024-20359 in their text; nobody has reviewed the match. One passage is shown per report, at most 320 characters, linked to the original.
Cyber Activity Impacting CISCO ASA VPNs - Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
Mentions the CVE; no further detail.
Also mentioned in 50 community threat pulses (AlienVault OTX)
Weaker evidencePulses are indicator collections that anyone can publish. A mention is not confirmation of exploitation.
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 30, 202629 Oct 2026
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 29, 202628 Oct 2026
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 28, 202627 Oct 2026
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 27, 202626 Oct 2026
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 24, 202623 Oct 2026
- Actively_Exploited_Kev | Oct 23, 202622 Oct 2026
- 44 more on OTX