FortiOS: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2023-29180 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in FortiOS from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected FortiOS versions: 7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11; 6.4.0 through 6.4.12, 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 2.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 87% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of FortiOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on fortiguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortinet | FortiOS | 7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11; 6.4.0 through 6.4.12; 6.2.0 through 6.2.14; 6.0.0 through 6.0.16; 6.2.0 through 6.2..14 | Not stated |
| Fortinet | FortiProxy | 7.2.0 through 7.2.3; 7.0.0 through 7.0.10; 2.0.0 through 2.0.12; 1.2.1 through 1.2.13; 01.02.00; 1.1.4 through 1.1.6; 01.01.00 through 01.01.03; 01.00.00 through 01.00.07; and 3 more ranges | Not 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (fortinet.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
A null pointer dereference vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.11, FortiOS 6.4.0 through 6.4.12, FortiOS 6.2.0 through 6.2.14, FortiOS 6.0.0 through 6.0.16, FortiProxy 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, FortiProxy 7.0.0 through 7.0.10, FortiProxy 2.0.0 through 2.0.12, FortiProxy 01.02 all versions, FortiProxy 1.2 all versions, FortiProxy 01.01 all versions, FortiProxy 1.1 all versions, FortiProxy 01.00 all versions allows attacker to denial of service via specially crafted HTTP requests.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in FortiOS
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.