CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-31489NVD status: Analyzed

FortiClientMac: Improper Certificate Validation

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-31489 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in FortiClientMac from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected FortiClientMac versions: 7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Forticlient to 7.0.12 or 7.2.3 or 7.2.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on fortiguard.fortinet.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. 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
FortinetFortiClientMac7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11Not stated
FortinetFortiClientEMS7.0.0 through 7.0.13Not stated
FortinetFortiClientLinux7.2.0; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11Not stated
FortinetFortiClientWindows7.2.0 through 7.2.2; 7.0.0 through 7.0.11Not stated
FortinetForticlient7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.12; 7.2.0 up to, but not including, 7.2.3; 7.2.0 up to, but not including, 7.2.5; 7.2.07.0.12, 7.2.3, 7.2.5

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
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
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:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.8MediumCNA (fortinet.com)
CVSS 3.18.1HighNVD

Official description

AAn improper certificate validation vulnerability [CWE-295] in FortiClientWindows 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, 7.0.0 through 7.0.11, FortiClientLinux 7.2.0, 7.0.0 through 7.0.11 and FortiClientMac 7.0.0 through 7.0.11, 7.2.0 through 7.2.4 may allow a remote and unauthenticated attacker to perform a Man-in-the-Middle attack on the communication channel between the FortiGate and the FortiClient during the ZTNA tunnel creation

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

The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation

The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
  • If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.

More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)

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 FortiClientMac

All FortiClientMac vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities

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