CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-40677NVD status: Modified

FortiNAC: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command

CVE-2022-40677 is a high-severity improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command vulnerability in FortiNAC from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected FortiNAC versions: 9.4.0; 9.2.0 through 9.2.5; 9.1.0 through 9.1.7, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.77% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 56% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of FortiNAC you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on fortiguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
FortinetFortiNAC9.4.0; 9.2.0 through 9.2.5; 9.1.0 through 9.1.7; 8.8.0 through 8.8.11; 8.7.0 through 8.7.6; 8.6.0 through 8.6.5; 8.5.0 through 8.5.4; 8.3.7Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.2HighCNA (fortinet.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

A improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command ('argument injection') in Fortinet FortiNAC versions 9.4.0, 9.2.0 through 9.2.5, 9.1.0 through 9.1.7, 8.8.0 through 8.8.11, 8.7.0 through 8.7.6, 8.6.0 through 8.6.5, 8.5.0 through 8.5.4, 8.3.7 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted input parameters.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command

The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter your product: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, request headers as well as content, URL components, e-mail, files, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Perform input validation at well-defined interfaces.
  • Directly convert your input type into the expected data type, such as using a conversion function that translates a string into a number. After converting to the expected data type, ensure that the input's values fall within the expected range of allowable values and that multi-field consistencies are maintained.
  • When exchanging data between components, ensure that both components are using the same character encoding. Ensure that the proper encoding is applied at each interface. Explicitly set the encoding you are using whenever the protocol allows you to do so.

More Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-88)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in FortiNAC

All FortiNAC vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command vulnerabilities

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