CVE-2018-13367 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE
An information exposure vulnerability in FortiOS 6.2.0 and below may allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain platform information such as version, models, via parsing a JavaScript file through admin webUI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13367 represents a critical information exposure flaw within Fortinet's FortiOS operating system version 6.2.0 and earlier releases. This weakness specifically affects the administrative web user interface component where sensitive system information can be inadvertently disclosed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of JavaScript files within the web management interface, creating an attack vector that allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication credentials.
This technical flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, specifically manifesting as a failure to properly sanitize or restrict access to system metadata within the web interface. The vulnerability operates by parsing JavaScript files that contain platform-specific information including version numbers and device models. When an unauthenticated attacker accesses certain web resources, the system inadvertently returns this sensitive information through the JavaScript parsing mechanism, exposing the underlying FortiOS platform details to potential adversaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. The disclosed information includes platform version, hardware models, and potentially other system identifiers that can be used to correlate with known vulnerabilities specific to those versions. This exposure enables attackers to tailor their exploitation strategies based on the exact FortiOS version and model, significantly increasing the effectiveness of potential attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that it affects the administrative web interface, which is often accessible from external networks and represents a primary attack surface for network-based threats.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure issues, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1082 for system information discovery and T1592 for reconnaissance. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices within the web application layer, creating a pathway for attackers to harvest system intelligence without requiring any authentication. Organizations running affected FortiOS versions face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the disclosed information can be used to identify specific vulnerabilities in the system that may have been previously unknown to the organization. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous in environments where administrative interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13367 should focus on immediate patching of affected FortiOS versions to 6.2.1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for this information exposure vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to administrative web interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these critical management functions. Organizations should also conduct thorough network monitoring to detect any suspicious access patterns or attempts to harvest system information through JavaScript parsing mechanisms. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be performed to identify similar information exposure issues within other network components and applications, while implementing proper input validation and output sanitization practices across all web interfaces to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.