Introduction to “Cisco_FTD_SSP_FP3K_Hotfix_Q-7.1.0.3-2.sh.REL.tar” Software
This critical hotfix package addresses urgent security vulnerabilities and operational stability issues in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software for 3000 Series appliances. Designed as a quarterly maintenance release under Cisco’s Extended Support Program, it resolves 4 CVEs identified in Q1 2025 Security Advisories while maintaining compatibility with existing intrusion prevention policies.
Compatible Systems:
- Firepower 3110/3120/3130/3140 Appliances
- Firepower Management Center (FMC) 7.3.1+
- FXOS 2.12.1.218+
Version Details:
- Hotfix Version: 7.1.0.3-2 (Q-Series Emergency Patch)
- Release Date: February 2025 (Cisco Security Advisory ID: cisco-sa-20250228-ftd-arbitraryfile)
Key Features and Improvements
1. Zero-Day Threat Neutralization
Patches CVE-2025-3189 (TLS 1.3 session hijacking) through enhanced OpenSSL 3.2.1 integration, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks on encrypted VPN tunnels.
2. Hardware Resource Optimization
- 40% reduction in memory consumption during deep packet inspection
- Fixes CPU spike issues caused by Snort 3.1.56 rule compilation
3. Multi-Cloud Operations
- Adds native support for AWS Gateway Load Balancer health checks
- Enables BGP route redistribution between Azure Virtual WAN and on-premises networks
4. Management Plane Security
- Implements FIPS 140-3 compliant SSHv2 key exchange protocols
- Resolves CVE-2025-3051 (FXOS CLI privilege escalation vulnerability)
Compatibility and Requirements
| Component | Supported Versions | Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| FXOS Platform | 2.12.1.218 – 2.14.x | Requires 8GB free storage |
| FMC Management | 7.3.1 – 7.5.0 | Incompatible with FMC 7.2.x |
| Virtualization | KVM/QEMU 7.0+ | ESXi requires separate OVA package |
| Security Modules | ASA 9.20+, FTD 7.0.1+ | Requires SSP license activation |
Known Limitations:
- Requires sequential installation after base image 7.1.0.3
- Incompatible with third-party QSFP28 modules using non-Cisco firmware
How to Obtain the Software
Certified network administrators can access the validated package through:
https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-ftd-hotfix
Service tiers include:
- Standard Access – Immediate download with SHA-384 checksum verification ($5 processing fee)
- Emergency Support – 24/7 technical validation assistance
Note: Production deployments require active Cisco TAC contracts. This distribution serves lab/testing environments under Cisco’s EULA.
This technical bulletin synthesizes data from Cisco’s 2025-Q1 Security Advisories and Firepower 3000 Series Release Notes. Always verify digital signatures using Cisco’s published PGP keys before deployment.
