
The home side took the lead in the 32nd minute after a neat combination between CSKA's two Brazilians, with Daniel Carvalho playing the ball to Jo, who curled it into the corner from inside the corner, beating compatriot Julio Cesar in the Inter goal.
It took the visitors just seven minutes into the second half to equalize through Argentina's Hernan Crespo who latched onto a header from Esteban Cambiasso.
Walter Samuel scored the winner for the Serie A side with ten minutes to go and even though CSKA threw caution to the wind in search of an equalizer in the final minutes, it was a case of too little too late.
The result leaves CSKA still waiting for their victory in the Champions League, while Inter move to the top with six points, two more than Fenerbahce who are playing PSV Eindhoven in a game later Tuesday.