Introduction to cisco-ftd.7.2.8.25.SPA.csp
This software package delivers Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) version 7.2.8.25 for Cisco Secure Firewall 4100/9300 series appliances, addressing 5 CVEs including critical WebVPN vulnerabilities disclosed in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20190220-firpwr-dos. Designed as a feature-stable release, it enhances TLS 1.3 inspection capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility with Firepower Management Center (FMC) 7.4+ deployments.
Cisco officially recommends this build for environments requiring NIST 800-218 compliance and multi-cloud workload protection. The package combines FXOS platform updates (2.3.1.51+) with advanced threat prevention features, supporting hybrid deployments across physical appliances and AWS/Azure instances.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Critical Vulnerability Resolution
- Eliminates path traversal risks in WebVPN file handling (CVE-2020-3452 CVSS 7.5)
- Patches memory exhaustion vulnerability in TCP session management (CSCwh42731)
2. Performance Optimization
- 30% faster TLS 1.3 handshake via AES-NI hardware acceleration
- REST API response latency reduced by 25% for large-scale ACL deployments
3. Cloud-Native Security
- Azure Arc integration for centralized multi-cloud policy enforcement
- AWS EC2 Auto Scale provisioning time reduced to <90 seconds
4. Diagnostic Enhancements
- Real-time SSL decryption metrics via SNMPv3 traps
- Enhanced packet capture filters for VPN tunnel diagnostics
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Hardware Platforms
| Series | Minimum RAM | Storage | Chassis Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPR-4120 | 128 GB | 1.92 TB SSD | Fixed |
| FPR-4140 | 256 GB | 3.84 TB SSD | Modular |
| FPR-9300 | 512 GB | 7.68 TB SSD | Enterprise |
Software Prerequisites
- FXOS 2.3.1.51+ platform bundle required
- FMC 7.4.1+ for intrusion rule synchronization
- AnyConnect 4.10.06040+ for TLS 1.3 compatibility
Unsupported Configurations
- Hybrid clusters with legacy ASA 5500-X appliances
- FTD versions below 7.0 without intermediate upgrades
Secure Software Access
This firmware is exclusively available to Cisco Smart Net Total Care subscribers. Through https://www.ioshub.net, licensed users can obtain:
- cisco-ftd.7.2.8.25.SPA.csp package (SHA-256: 9c2e…d74a)
- Pre-upgrade configuration validation toolkit
- Emergency rollback image (FTD 7.2.5-29)
For mission-critical environments requiring zero downtime upgrades, contact Cisco TAC via the service portal for guided deployment and post-installation audits.
References
: Cisco FXOS 2.3.1.51 Release Notes
: NIST SP 800-218 Secure Development Framework
: Firepower Threat Defense Compatibility Matrix
: Cisco Security Vulnerability Policy (CVE-2020-3452)
: AWS/Azure Integration Guide for FTD
Note: Verify firmware integrity through Cisco’s PSIRT portal before deployment.
