CVE-2018-13378 in FortiSIEM
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in Fortinet FortiSIEM 5.2.0 and below versions exposes the LDAP server plaintext password via the HTML source code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13378 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Fortinet FortiSIEM versions 5.2.0 and earlier, where LDAP server credentials are inadvertently exposed through HTML source code. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the web interface, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data. The flaw specifically affects the management console's rendering of LDAP server parameters, where plaintext passwords are stored in the client-side HTML source rather than being properly secured or obfuscated.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's failure to sanitize or encrypt sensitive authentication information before presenting it in the user interface. When administrators configure LDAP server connections within the FortiSIEM management console, the system stores these credentials in a manner that makes them directly accessible through browser source code inspection. This exposure occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation or output encoding mechanisms to prevent sensitive data from being rendered in plaintext within HTML documents. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and specifically relates to CWE-546, which addresses the presence of sensitive information in source code. From an operational perspective, this flaw provides attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials that can be used to compromise the entire LDAP infrastructure and potentially gain elevated privileges within the network.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to the FortiSIEM system and potentially compromise the broader security infrastructure. An attacker who discovers the exposed LDAP password can authenticate to the LDAP server and gain access to user accounts and system resources that the LDAP server manages. This creates a potential attack path that could lead to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and further compromise of the network environment. The vulnerability also violates several security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials from password stores, and T1078.002, which addresses valid accounts with compromised credentials. The exposure of plaintext credentials in HTML source code represents a fundamental failure in application security design and demonstrates inadequate protection of sensitive data at rest and in transit.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to FortiSIEM version 5.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the information disclosure issue. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of their LDAP configurations to ensure no other sensitive information is exposed through similar mechanisms. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the FortiSIEM management interface, enabling multi-factor authentication where possible, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and updating security policies to ensure proper handling of authentication credentials and implementing automated tools to scan for exposed sensitive information in web applications. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing to prevent information disclosure vulnerabilities that can compromise entire security infrastructures.