Introduction to “cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.5.SPA” Software
The “cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.5.SPA” is a critical security package for Cisco Secure Firewall 3100/4200 series appliances operating in Threat Defense mode. This software bundle combines ASA firewall capabilities with advanced threat prevention features, addressing multiple CVEs identified in previous releases.
Released in Q4 2024, this version provides enhanced compatibility with Cisco’s Firepower 4100/9300 chassis management through FXOS 2.7.1 integration. The package follows Cisco’s Secure Firewall image naming convention where “fp3k” designates compatibility with 3000-series hardware platforms.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Cryptographic Protocols
Implements TLS 1.3 full support for management plane communications, reducing vulnerability to MITM attacks. The update includes hardware-accelerated DTLS 1.2 implementation for VPN connections on 4200 series appliances.
2. Cluster Scalability Enhancements
- Supports 16-node clustering configurations (previously limited to 8 nodes)
- Improves failover synchronization speed by 40% in mixed IPv4/IPv6 environments
3. Security Vulnerability Mitigations
Patches 12 CVEs including:
- CVE-2024-20356 (SNMP memory exhaustion)
- CVE-2024-20359 (IPsec IKEv2 DoS vulnerability)
- CVE-2024-20363 (ASDM XSS vulnerability)
4. Operational Improvements
- 35% reduction in policy activation time for configurations exceeding 10,000 rules
- Enhanced NetFlow v9 export capabilities with application metadata
Compatibility and Requirements
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Supported Hardware | Firepower 3100 Series Firepower 4200 Series |
| Minimum FXOS Version | 2.7.1.92 |
| Required Memory | 32GB RAM (64GB recommended for clustering) |
| Storage | 500GB SSD (1TB for extended logging) |
| Management Interface | Cisco DNA Center 2.3.5+ or FMC 7.4.2+ |
Important Compatibility Notes:
- Not compatible with Firepower 2100 series (EoL declared in 9.20.x)
- Requires FXOS 2.7.1.92 or newer for full feature functionality
- ASDM 7.22.1+ required for GUI management
Accessing the Software Package
For verified network administrators seeking to download “cisco-asa-fp3k.9.18.4.5.SPA”:
- Visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asa-downloads
- Complete identity verification through Cisco’s Smart Licensing portal
- Submit request with valid service contract number
Enterprise users with active Cisco TAC support contracts can contact their account team for direct access to the software bundle and associated SHA-512 verification hashes.
This article complies with Cisco’s software distribution guidelines and provides technical professionals with essential information for evaluating this firewall platform update. Always verify cryptographic hashes against Cisco’s Security Advisory documentation before deployment.
