CVE-2020-6641 in FortiPresence
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2021
Two authorization bypass through user-controlled key vulnerabilities in the Fortinet FortiPresence 2.1.0 administration interface may allow an attacker to gain access to some user data via portal manager or portal users parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6641 affects Fortinet FortiPresence version 2.1.0 and represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that stems from improper validation of user-controlled input parameters within the administration interface. This vulnerability specifically impacts the portal manager and portal users parameters, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The flaw exists in the web application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate input values that are controlled by users, allowing malicious actors to manipulate these parameters and bypass intended access controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, which is a fundamental security weakness that allows unauthorized users to access resources or perform actions they should not be permitted to execute. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through the web administration interface, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the FortiPresence administration interface failing to validate user-supplied parameters when processing requests related to portal management and user access control. When an attacker sends crafted requests containing manipulated portal manager or portal users parameters, the system processes these inputs without proper authorization checks, effectively allowing the attacker to access data that should be restricted to authorized users only. This bypass occurs because the application does not adequately validate whether the requesting user has legitimate permissions to access the specified portal resources or user data. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with weak access control enforcement, where the system trusts user input without proper sanitization and authorization verification. Attackers can leverage this weakness to enumerate user accounts, access restricted portal configurations, and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism that allows unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions through manipulation of legitimate interface parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it directly compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user data within the FortiPresence system. An attacker who successfully exploits this authorization bypass can access portal manager configurations and user data that should remain protected, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and compromise of the entire administrative environment. The vulnerability affects not just individual user records but also the broader portal management functionality, which could enable attackers to modify system configurations, create new user accounts, or manipulate access controls to maintain persistent access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where FortiPresence systems are used to manage secure communication portals and access control mechanisms for multiple users and departments. The impact extends beyond immediate data access as it can serve as a foothold for further attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations using this version of FortiPresence may face regulatory compliance issues and security audit failures due to the exposure of unauthorized data access capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by Fortinet to address this vulnerability. The patch addresses the authorization bypass by implementing proper input validation and access control checks for the affected portal manager and portal users parameters. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the FortiPresence administration interface, limiting access to trusted administrative networks only. Implementing additional monitoring and logging of administrative access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all administrative interfaces are properly secured. The remediation process should include reviewing and validating access controls for all portal management functions, ensuring that proper authentication and authorization mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameters. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to verify that the implemented mitigations are effective and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the FortiPresence implementation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential for damage is greatest. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple parameter manipulation can lead to significant security breaches, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all user-controlled inputs in web applications.