CVE-2017-7731 in FortiPortal
Summary
by MITRE
A weak password recovery vulnerability in Fortinet FortiPortal versions 4.0.0 and below allows attacker to carry out information disclosure via the Forgotten Password feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7731 represents a critical weakness in Fortinet FortiPortal authentication mechanisms that directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on this wireless access platform. This issue specifically affects versions 4.0.0 and earlier, where the forgotten password recovery feature contains a design flaw that undermines the integrity of the authentication system. The vulnerability resides in the password recovery process rather than the core authentication logic, making it particularly dangerous as it exploits a legitimate user functionality to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal authentication procedures by leveraging the password recovery mechanism to obtain access to user accounts and associated data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and verification processes within the password recovery workflow of FortiPortal. When users attempt to recover their passwords through the forgotten password feature, the system fails to properly authenticate the recovery requestor or adequately verify the identity of individuals requesting password resets. This weakness creates a path for attackers to exploit the recovery mechanism by either guessing or manipulating the recovery process to gain access to user credentials, session information, or other sensitive data associated with the authentication system. The vulnerability is classified as a weak authentication mechanism that violates fundamental security principles and can be categorized under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through legitimate recovery procedures that should never be exploited by unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7731 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to comprehensive information disclosure and potential system compromise within organizations using vulnerable FortiPortal versions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access user accounts, potentially gaining access to network resources, sensitive communications, and administrative functions associated with the wireless access points. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that rely on FortiPortal for wireless network access control, as this vulnerability can enable attackers to move laterally within networks and escalate privileges. The attack vector is relatively straightforward and can be executed by anyone with basic knowledge of the system, making it a significant risk for organizations that have not updated their FortiPortal installations. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1212 which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to obtain credentials and access to systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their wireless infrastructure and user data. The primary recommendation involves updating FortiPortal installations to versions 4.0.1 or later, where Fortinet has addressed this weakness through improved authentication validation and recovery process controls. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual password recovery requests, implementing rate limiting on recovery attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication design and the need for comprehensive security testing of recovery mechanisms that are often overlooked during initial security reviews. Organizations should also review their overall authentication policies and consider implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential-based attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining the security of the wireless access infrastructure.