CVE-2014-2334 in FortiAnalyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Web User Interface in Fortinet FortiAnalyzer before 5.0.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-2336.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2334 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Fortinet FortiAnalyzer products prior to version 5.0.7. This security flaw exists within the web user interface component of the network security appliance, which serves as a central logging and monitoring solution for enterprise networks. The affected system is designed to collect, analyze, and report on network traffic and security events, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive network data and system controls.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the web interface components of FortiAnalyzer. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed when legitimate users interact with the compromised interface. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the web application are susceptible to injection attacks, including form fields, URL parameters, or API endpoints that process user-supplied data without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of user input leads to execution of malicious code in victim browsers. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shell execution, as attackers can leverage XSS to establish persistent access through malicious script injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2334 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, and access sensitive network monitoring data. Network security administrators who rely on FortiAnalyzer for threat detection and incident response could find their monitoring capabilities compromised, allowing attackers to hide malicious activities from detection systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the network or direct system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network security tools are considered trusted components. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that FortiAnalyzer systems often contain comprehensive network traffic logs, firewall rules, and security event data that could be accessed or manipulated by an attacker exploiting this vulnerability.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to FortiAnalyzer version 5.0.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS weaknesses. Network administrators should also implement web application firewalls and input validation rules to filter malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable interface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in web interface access and script execution attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network security tools. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security solutions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect critical network monitoring infrastructure from sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls and access restrictions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.