CVE-2019-17654 in FortiManager
Summary
by MITRE
An Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability in FortiManager 6.2.1, 6.2.0, 6.0.6 and below may allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform a Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking (CSWSH) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17654 represents a critical security flaw in FortiManager versions 6.2.1, 6.2.0, and 6.0.6 and below, specifically targeting the insufficient verification of data authenticity within the WebSocket communication framework. This weakness creates a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to exploit Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking mechanisms, fundamentally compromising the integrity of web-based management interfaces. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of WebSocket handshake requests and session tokens, allowing malicious actors to intercept and manipulate WebSocket connections without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the FortiManager's WebSocket protocol handling where the system fails to properly authenticate WebSocket connections before establishing secure communication channels. This flaw enables attackers to perform session hijacking by intercepting valid WebSocket connections and injecting malicious payloads into the communication stream. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web interface components that manage remote administration sessions, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on FortiManager for critical infrastructure management. The issue manifests when the system does not adequately verify the origin and authenticity of WebSocket connection requests, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through various reconnaissance and exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with persistent control over network management functions through the hijacked WebSocket connections. An attacker could potentially manipulate firewall policies, modify security configurations, or even escalate privileges within the FortiManager environment. The implications are severe for organizations that depend on FortiManager for centralized network security management, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of network security policies and unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with distributed network management setups where FortiManager serves as a central point for security policy enforcement and configuration management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17654 should prioritize immediate patch application from Fortinet, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the insufficient verification mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to FortiManager WebSocket endpoints and deploy additional authentication layers including multi-factor authentication for administrative access. The implementation of proper WebSocket security controls including origin validation, secure token management, and session integrity checks forms the foundation of defense against such attacks. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous WebSocket traffic patterns and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses the weakness of insufficient verification of data authenticity, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The flaw represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms can create persistent security vulnerabilities in enterprise management systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in their network management infrastructure and ensure proper implementation of security controls that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader authentication and session management practices. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring for critical infrastructure management systems.