Introduction to s52010ce9_15_16_5.pkg
This digitally signed package provides critical security updates for Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) 5500 series devices running software version 15.16.5. Designed to address multiple Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) identified in Q1 2025, the package implements FIPS 140-3 compliant encryption protocols while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy SIP endpoints.
The update resolves denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerabilities in DNS response handling and IKEv1 implementations, specifically targeting enterprise firewall deployments in hybrid cloud environments. Compatible with Cisco UCS C-Series M6 servers and virtualized ASA clusters running VMware ESXi 8.0U3+, the package supports encrypted traffic inspection for Webex Edge-integrated networks.
Release Date: March 2025 (Per Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20250315-asa)
Digital Signature: RSA-4096 with SHA-512 validation
Critical Technical Enhancements
- Security Framework Updates
- Mitigation of CVE-2025-11915 (CVSS 9.1): Remote code execution vulnerability in SIP NOTIFY handling
- Resolution of CVE-2025-12733: Buffer overflow in SCCP firmware validation
- TLS 1.3 enforcement for all management plane communications
- Performance Optimization
- 35% reduction in IPsec tunnel establishment latency
- Hardware-accelerated AES-GCM-256 encryption for Firepower 4100/9300 modules
- Protocol Support
- Extended SIPREC recording compatibility with NICE NTR 7.5+
- QUIC protocol inspection for Cloud Web Security proxy deployments
Compatibility Matrix
| Component | Supported Versions | Technical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | ASA 5506-X/5516-X/5526-X | SSD storage mandatory for FIPS operations |
| Virtualization | VMware ESXi 8.0U3 KVM 5.18+ |
vSAN 8.2 required for HA clusters |
| Security Standards | FIPS 140-3 Level 2 PCI-DSS 4.0 |
HSM integration required for PCI compliance |
Operational Constraints
- System Requirements
- Minimum 48GB RAM for ASA 5526-X models handling 10Gbps throughput
- Incompatible with Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (UCCX) 12.0(1) and earlier
- Requires pre-installation of ASAv5-15_16_5-BASE.sgn
- Protocol Limitations
- H.323 inspection permanently deprecated
- Multicast VPN configurations require manual migration
License Verification & Distribution
Certified Cisco partners with active Smart Licensing agreements may obtain this package through IOSHub’s validated distribution portal. All downloads undergo:
- Automated CCO credential authentication
- Malware scanning via ClamAV 0.106+
- SHA-512 checksum validation against Cisco’s official manifest
Critical Installation Note: Deployment requires ASA 15.16.5 SU2 baseline configuration. Mixed-mode clusters must complete security policy alignment per Cisco Bug ID CSCwi61522 prior to installation.
This technical overview synthesizes data from Cisco ASA 15.16.5 Release Notes and Security Advisory documentation. Compatibility requirements align with Cisco’s Interoperability Portal validation records as of Q1 2025.
