CVE-2015-8037 in FortiManager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) in Fortinet FortiManager before 5.2.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) SOMVpnSSLPortalDialog or (2) FGDMngUpdHistory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8037 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the graphical user interface of Fortinet FortiManager appliances. This issue affects versions prior to 5.2.4 and exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. The vulnerability specifically targets two distinct GUI components: SOMVpnSSLPortalDialog and FGDMngUpdHistory, which together create multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. These interfaces are commonly used by administrators and users interacting with the FortiManager's VPN and management update functionalities, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the FortiManager GUI components. When user-supplied data is processed through these interfaces without proper sanitization, attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes within the context of other users' browser sessions. This occurs because the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. The vulnerability manifests when users interact with the SSL VPN portal dialog or management update history features, where unvalidated input is directly rendered in the web interface without appropriate security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8037 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the FortiManager environment and potentially enables further exploitation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation. The attack requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote unauthenticated attackers. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting, specifically targeting web-based attack surfaces within enterprise security infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing FortiManager appliances should prioritize immediate remediation through patch updates to version 5.2.4 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for input validation and output encoding. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly targeting the affected GUI components. Security teams should also review access controls and implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls and content security policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding output in web applications, particularly within security management platforms where the compromise could lead to widespread network exposure and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.