CVE-2014-0351 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE
The FortiManager protocol service in Fortinet FortiOS before 4.3.16 and 5.x before 5.0.8 on FortiGate devices does not prevent use of anonymous ciphersuites, which makes it easier for man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information or interfere with communications by modifying the client-server data stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0351 affects the FortiManager protocol service implemented within Fortinet FortiOS operating systems across multiple versions including those prior to 4.3.16 and 5.x before 5.0.8 on FortiGate devices. This security flaw resides in the cryptographic implementation of the protocol service that governs secure communication between management systems and network devices. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly enforce the use of authenticated ciphersuites, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the integrity of secure communications. The vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the authentication and encryption mechanisms that are fundamental to protecting sensitive network management data.
The technical flaw stems from the protocol service's inability to prevent the establishment of anonymous ciphersuites during secure communication sessions. Anonymous ciphersuites operate without requiring client or server authentication, which creates a critical security gap that allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept and manipulate communication streams between clients and servers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic handshake process where the system should enforce strong authentication mechanisms but instead permits the use of weak anonymous connections that can be easily exploited. The flaw directly violates security best practices for cryptographic protocol implementation and represents a failure in proper security configuration management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential complete compromise of network management functions. Attackers exploiting this weakness can modify client-server data streams in real-time, potentially altering configuration data, executing unauthorized commands, or gaining unauthorized access to management interfaces. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for prolonged surveillance or active interference with network operations. Organizations relying on FortiGate devices for network security management face significant risk of unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of network management protocols and undermines the trust model that secure communications are supposed to establish between managed devices and their administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0351 require immediate implementation of firmware updates to versions that address the anonymous ciphersuite vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks. Configuration changes must enforce strict ciphersuite policies that disable anonymous connections and require strong authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should include thorough network scanning to identify all affected FortiGate devices and implementation of monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network intrusion detection systems and regular cryptographic protocol assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other network components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and defense evasion tactics.