CVE-2015-1456 in FortiAuthenticator
Summary
by MITRE
Fortinet FortiAuthenticator 3.0.0 logs the PostgreSQL usernames and passwords in cleartext, which allows remote administrators to obtain sensitive information by reading the log at debug/startup/.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1456 affects Fortinet FortiAuthenticator version 3.0.0, a security appliance designed for authentication and access control management. This critical flaw resides in the logging mechanism of the system where PostgreSQL database credentials are stored in cleartext format within log files. The issue manifests during debug or startup operations when the system writes sensitive authentication information to log files that can be accessed by remote administrators. This represents a fundamental security weakness in credential handling and log management practices within the FortiAuthenticator platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper security controls in the logging subsystem where database connection parameters including usernames and passwords are written without encryption or obfuscation. When the FortiAuthenticator initializes or operates in debug mode, these credentials are persistently stored in log files accessible through standard administrative interfaces. The cleartext storage of database credentials directly violates established security principles and creates an attack surface that allows unauthorized access to backend database systems. This flaw specifically aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and represents a classic example of poor credential management practices in enterprise security appliances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to protected data. Remote administrators with access to the FortiAuthenticator logs can directly extract database credentials and use them to establish unauthorized connections to the PostgreSQL database backend. This could lead to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, modification of authentication records, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the entire authentication system, as database credentials provide privileged access to user authentication records and system configuration data. Attackers could leverage this information to impersonate legitimate users, escalate privileges, or gain deeper access to network resources that rely on the FortiAuthenticator for authentication services.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling debug logging in production environments, restricting access to log files through proper access controls, and implementing log file encryption where possible. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of FortiAuthenticator that addresses the cleartext credential storage issue. Security administrators should also implement regular log file audits to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious log file access patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege in log file management and demonstrates the critical need for proper credential handling practices. The flaw exemplifies ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which involves the use of log data for credential access, and underscores the necessity of implementing comprehensive security controls that protect sensitive information at rest and in transit within enterprise security infrastructure.