CVE-2016-4967 in FortiWan
Summary
by MITRE
Fortinet FortiWan (formerly AscernLink) before 4.2.5 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information from (1) a backup of the device configuration via script/cfg_show.php or (2) PCAP files via script/system/tcpdump.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4967 affects Fortinet FortiWan appliances, formerly known as AscernLink devices, specifically versions prior to 4.2.5. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to access sensitive system data through two distinct attack vectors. The affected device configuration backup functionality and packet capture file access mechanisms present pathways for unauthorized data extraction that could compromise the entire network security infrastructure. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficiently protected credentials and information disclosure issues, aligning with CWE-200 which addresses information exposure and CWE-312 which covers cleartext storage of sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring physical access or advanced privileges beyond basic authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and privilege enforcement within the web-based management interface of FortiWan devices. Attackers can leverage legitimate administrative access to navigate to specific script endpoints that provide unauthenticated access to sensitive data. The script/cfg_show.php endpoint exposes backup configuration files that contain critical network parameters, user credentials, and system settings that should remain confidential. Similarly, the script/system/tcpdump.php endpoint allows access to packet capture files that may contain sensitive network traffic data including potential credentials, session information, and other confidential communications passing through the network infrastructure. These endpoints lack proper authorization checks and authentication enforcement, creating a direct path for information leakage that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation, which are core requirements of the OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the entire network security posture of organizations relying on FortiWan appliances. When attackers can obtain configuration backups, they gain access to administrative credentials, network topology information, device settings, and potentially encryption keys that could facilitate further attacks. The packet capture files may contain sensitive data from network communications, including passwords transmitted in cleartext, session tokens, and other confidential information that could be exploited for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance, map network infrastructure, and develop targeted attacks against other systems within the organization's network perimeter. The impact is particularly severe for organizations using these devices as core network security infrastructure components, as the exposed information could enable attackers to bypass security controls and maintain persistent access to critical network resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to FortiWan version 4.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should also review and restrict access to the affected endpoints through firewall rules and access control lists to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure, conducting thorough security audits of all network devices, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management programs, as well as the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic analysis tools to detect anomalous access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security configurations and the potential consequences of outdated firmware in network security devices, particularly those handling sensitive network traffic and configuration data.