FortiSwitch: Unverified Password Change
CVE-2024-48887 is a critical-severity unverified password change vulnerability in FortiSwitch 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. Affected FortiSwitch versions: 7.6.0; 7.4.0 through 7.4.4; 7.2.0 through 7.2.8, 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 15.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 3.1% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of FortiSwitch you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on fortiguard.fortinet.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 | FortiSwitch | 7.6.0; 7.4.0 through 7.4.4; 7.2.0 through 7.2.8; 7.0.0 through 7.0.10; 6.4.0 through 6.4.14 | 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
- 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 CNA (fortinet.com).
Official description
A unverified password change vulnerability in Fortinet FortiSwitch GUI may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to change admin passwords via a specially crafted request
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change
When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
- Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in FortiSwitch
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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