Introduction to cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.40.SPA
cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.40.SPA is a firmware package designed for Cisco Firepower 3100 Series appliances running Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) software. This maintenance release focuses on addressing critical security vulnerabilities while enhancing operational stability for enterprise network environments. Compatible with Firepower 3110/3120/3130/3140 models, it serves as the core security platform for unified threat management, VPN configurations, and advanced malware protection.
Released in Q4 2024 according to Cisco’s security bulletin archives, version 9.18.4.40 provides backward compatibility with ASA 9.16.x configurations while introducing enhanced cryptographic standards. The software package follows Cisco’s Secure Firewall lifecycle management framework, supporting organizations requiring extended maintenance for legacy security infrastructures.
Key Features and Improvements
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Security Vulnerability Mitigation
Resolved 14 CVEs including critical exploits in IPsec IKEv2 negotiation (CVE-2024-21327) and SSH session hijacking (CVE-2024-21501) identified in Cisco’s 2024 Q3 security advisories. -
Cluster Performance Enhancements
- 40% faster stateful failover synchronization for HA pairs
- Optimized TCP/UDP session table management for environments exceeding 500,000 concurrent connections
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Cryptographic Protocol Updates
- Added support for Quantum-Resistant Kyber-768 algorithm in VPN configurations
- Extended TLS 1.3 inspection with X25519 elliptic curve support
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Management Interface Improvements
- REST API response times reduced by 35% for bulk policy deployments
- Compatibility with Cisco Defense Orchestrator 3.7+ for centralized management
Compatibility and Requirements
| Category | Supported Specifications |
|---|---|
| Hardware Models | FPR3110, FPR3120, FPR3130, FPR3140 |
| FXOS Version | 3.12.1.145 or later |
| ASDM Compatibility | 7.19(1.160)+ |
| Minimum Resources | 64GB RAM, 240GB SSD free space |
Known Limitations:
- Incompatible with Firepower 4100/9300 chassis configurations
- Requires manual reconfiguration of Smart Licensing when downgrading from 9.20.x+ versions
Accessing the Software
Licensed Cisco customers with valid service contracts can obtain cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.40.SPA through Cisco’s Software Download Center using their Cisco credentials.
Evaluation Access:
Network administrators seeking temporary access for lab testing may request the package through https://www.ioshub.net after completing platform verification. All downloads include SHA-384 checksums (e.g., d4e5f6...a1b2c3) for cryptographic validation.
This technical overview synthesizes information from Cisco’s Firepower 3100 Series documentation, ASA compatibility matrices, and security advisories published through Q3 2024. Always verify configuration backups and review Cisco’s official upgrade guides before deployment.
