CVE-2021-24010 in FortiSandbox
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2021
Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerabilities in FortiSandbox 3.2.0 through 3.2.2, and 3.1.0 through 3.1.4 may allow an authenticated user to obtain unauthorized access to files and data via specifially crafted web requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-24010 represents a critical path traversal flaw affecting FortiSandbox versions 3.2.0 through 3.2.2 and 3.1.0 through 3.1.4. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper limitation of pathname access within the web interface of the sandboxing platform. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to manipulate file paths through specially crafted web requests, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive system files and data that should be restricted to authorized users only.
This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the web application layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, which when processed by the vulnerable application can navigate outside of intended directories and access restricted files. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and access sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-24010 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. FortiSandbox environments typically process and analyze potentially malicious files, making them valuable targets for attackers seeking to access the underlying system. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access configuration files, log data, user credentials, or other sensitive artifacts that might contain system information useful for further attacks. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which involves data staging through the use of remote access tools or compromised systems, and T1566.001, which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments targeting specific individuals or organizations.
Organizations running affected FortiSandbox versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by Fortinet. The mitigation strategy should include implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly in web requests that interact with file system operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the scope of potential impact should an attacker successfully exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns and unusual web requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure, as this class of vulnerability remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous security flaws in web applications.