CVE-2013-6826 in Manager
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/module//sysmanager/admin/SYSAdminUserDialog in Fortinet FortiAnalyzer before 5.0.5 does not properly validate the csrf_token parameter, which allows remote attackers to perform cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6826 affects Fortinet FortiAnalyzer versions prior to 5.0.5 and resides within the cgi-bin/module//sysmanager/admin/SYSAdminUserDialog component. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the web-based administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the csrf_token parameter, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized actions from being executed on behalf of authenticated users. The absence of proper token validation creates an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to conduct cross-site request forgery attacks against the affected system.
This vulnerability operates within the context of web application security frameworks and directly impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms of FortiAnalyzer's administrative interface. The csrf_token parameter serves as a unique value generated by the server and required to be included with each request to verify that the action originates from a legitimate user session. When this validation fails, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated administrators, thereby bypassing critical security controls. The flaw specifically affects the SYSAdminUserDialog component, which handles user management operations within the system's administrative console, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it enables attackers to perform administrative actions without proper authorization. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to create new administrative accounts, modify existing user permissions, delete critical system components, or alter system configurations that could compromise the entire network monitoring infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network connectivity, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where FortiAnalyzer is exposed to external networks. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a weakness that allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several tactics and techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence within network monitoring systems. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish backdoors, modify security policies, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive network data that FortiAnalyzer is designed to protect. The vulnerability's presence in a system management interface increases the risk of cascading security failures, as compromised administrative access could lead to complete system takeover. Organizations relying on FortiAnalyzer for network security monitoring face significant operational risks, as this vulnerability could allow attackers to evade detection mechanisms while simultaneously compromising the integrity of security logs and monitoring data.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to FortiAnalyzer version 5.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the csrf_token validation issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the security infrastructure. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices, as recommended by OWASP guidelines, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the integrity of the administrative interface's security controls.