CVE-2015-3616 in FortiManager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Fortinet FortiManager 5.0.x before 5.0.11, 5.2.x before 5.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The CVE-2015-3616 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in Fortinet FortiManager appliances running specific versions of their software. This vulnerability affects FortiManager 5.0.x versions prior to 5.0.11 and 5.2.x versions prior to 5.2.2, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these network security management platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of unspecified parameters, which allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the network security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns as classified under CWE-89, where insufficient validation of user-supplied data leads to unauthorized database access. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses normal validation checks and injects harmful sql commands into the backend database queries. The unspecified parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that multiple input vectors within the FortiManager interface could be targeted, potentially including web forms, api endpoints, or configuration parameters. This broad attack surface increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for security administrators who may not immediately identify all potential entry points.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3616 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the FortiManager appliance, potentially gaining access to sensitive network configurations, security policies, and management credentials. This access could enable attackers to modify security rules, disable protective measures, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network security architecture. The FortiManager's role as a central management platform for fortinet security devices means that compromise of this system could affect multiple network segments and security appliances under its management, creating a cascading security failure that could severely impact an organization's overall security posture.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official firmware updates provided by Fortinet, specifically upgrading to versions 5.0.11 or 5.2.2 and later. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, with security teams implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify sql injection patterns in network traffic. The vulnerability's classification under attack techniques such as those described in the mitre att&ck framework for command and control operations highlights the need for comprehensive monitoring of unusual command execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their fortinet infrastructure to identify any other potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited in conjunction with this sql injection flaw, ensuring that their security posture remains resilient against evolving threat landscapes and maintaining compliance with industry standards for network security management.