CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-40684Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Fortinet Multiple Products Authentication Bypass

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-40684 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, FortiSwitchManager from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on October 11, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild, including in ransomware campaigns.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Update Fortiproxy to 7.0.7 or a later version.
  2. Update Fortios to 7.0.7 or 7.2.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. Read the advisory on fortiguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
FortinetFortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, FortiSwitchManagerNot specified in the recordNot stated
FortinetFortiproxy7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.7; 7.2.07.0.7
FortinetFortiswitchmanager7.0.0; 7.2.0Not stated
FortinetFortios7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.7; 7.2.0 up to, but not including, 7.2.27.0.7, 7.2.2

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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCNA (fortinet.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD

Official description

An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, FortiProxy version 7.2.0 and version 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 and FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.0 and 7.0.0 allows an unauthenticated atttacker to perform operations on the administrative interface via specially crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests.

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

The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication

When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.

More Improper Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-287)

Timeline

  1. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  2. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  3. CVE record published.
  4. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities

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