CVE-2014-8582 in Fortiadc-400e
Summary
by MITRE
FortiNet FortiADC-E with firmware 3.1.1 before 4.0.5 and Coyote Point Equalizer with firmware 10.2.0a allows remote attackers to obtain access to arbitrary subnets via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8582 affects Fortinet FortiADC-E load balancer appliances and Coyote Point Equalizer application delivery controllers running specific firmware versions. This security flaw represents a critical network access control issue that enables remote attackers to bypass normal network segmentation controls and gain unauthorized access to internal subnets that should remain isolated from external networks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate network isolation mechanisms within the affected load balancing and application delivery platforms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to traverse network boundaries without proper authentication or authorization. Both FortiADC-E and Coyote Point Equalizer devices are designed to manage and distribute network traffic across multiple servers while maintaining security boundaries, yet this flaw undermines their fundamental security posture by allowing arbitrary subnet access through unspecified attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to involve improper handling of network routing or access control lists within the affected appliances. When these devices process incoming network requests or manage traffic flows, they fail to properly enforce the network segmentation policies that should prevent access to internal subnets from external network interfaces. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could potentially leverage multiple exploitation techniques including but not limited to protocol manipulation, malformed packet injection, or configuration parameter tampering that allows attackers to manipulate the device's routing decisions. This type of vulnerability typically resides in the network layer processing logic where the appliance should validate that traffic originates from authorized sources and that destination addresses remain within acceptable network boundaries. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to inject routing information or manipulate existing routing tables in a way that redirects traffic to unintended network segments, effectively creating a backdoor into internal network resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8582 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the network security architecture of organizations relying on these appliances for traffic management. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive internal systems including database servers, administrative interfaces, and other critical infrastructure components that should remain protected behind network firewalls and access controls. The exposure of arbitrary subnets creates opportunities for lateral movement within the network, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire internal infrastructure. Organizations using these devices may experience cascading security failures as attackers leverage the initial access to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or conduct reconnaissance activities to identify additional targets within the compromised network. The vulnerability also impacts business continuity by potentially exposing critical applications to unauthorized access, leading to service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access resources they should not be permitted to access. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where initial access through network-level vulnerabilities leads to broader system compromise and access to additional network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8582 require immediate firmware updates to versions 4.0.5 or later for FortiADC-E appliances and appropriate firmware upgrades for Coyote Point Equalizer devices. Organizations should implement network segmentation controls that limit direct access to these appliances from untrusted networks and ensure that administrative interfaces are properly isolated using dedicated management networks. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or routing changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized administrators can modify routing configurations or network access policies. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that network access controls remain properly enforced and that no unauthorized modifications have been made to the appliances' configurations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potential exploitation attempts targeting these specific vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations or services.