CVE-2022-27484 in FortiADC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2022
A unverified password change in Fortinet FortiADC version 6.2.0 through 6.2.3, 6.1.x, 6.0.x, 5.x.x allows an authenticated attacker to bypass the Old Password check in the password change form via a crafted HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27484 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Fortinet FortiADC appliances running specific versions including 6.2.0 through 6.2.3, 6.1.x, 6.0.x, and 5.x.x series. This weakness stems from inadequate validation of password change requests, where the system fails to properly verify the old password before accepting a new password submission. The vulnerability specifically affects the password change form functionality within the FortiADC web interface, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to manipulate the authentication flow without proper credential verification.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs at the application layer where the FortiADC appliance processes password change requests through HTTP endpoints. When an authenticated user attempts to change their password, the system should validate the current password against the stored credentials before accepting any new password. However, due to insufficient input validation and verification mechanisms, attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests that bypass the old password verification step. This allows unauthorized modification of user accounts without proper authentication, effectively undermining the entire password change security mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to the FortiADC appliance. An authenticated attacker who gains access to any legitimate user account can leverage this flaw to change passwords for other users, including administrative accounts, thereby compromising the entire security posture of the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanisms of the appliance, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access and control over load balancing, application delivery, and traffic management functions. This poses significant risks to organizations relying on FortiADC for critical network services and security operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates from Fortinet, which contain patches addressing the password verification bypass. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of FortiADC appliances to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious authentication activities and implementing robust logging of password change operations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass weaknesses and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to provide additional protection layers against such authentication bypass attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of FortiADC appliances should be conducted to identify and remediate similar security gaps in the network infrastructure.