CVE-2022-35849 in FortiADC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/13/2023
An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability [CWE-78] in the management interface of FortiADC 7.1.0 through 7.1.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.3, 6.2.0 through 6.2.5 and 6.1.0 all versions may allow an authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized commands via specifically crafted arguments to existing commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in FortiADC management interfaces across multiple version ranges including 7.1.0 through 7.1.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.3, 6.2.0 through 6.2.5, and 6.1.0. The issue stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands, directly mapping to CWE-78 which classifies this as an OS command injection vulnerability. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate command execution by crafting malicious arguments that bypass normal input validation mechanisms within the management interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to leverage existing commands within the FortiADC management interface to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the underlying system. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into system command calls. The vulnerability specifically affects the management interface components where administrative functions are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it requires only authentication credentials to exploit rather than requiring additional privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized command execution capabilities on the FortiADC appliance. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the device, potentially leading to complete compromise of network security infrastructure. Attackers could execute commands such as file manipulation, process management, network configuration changes, or even establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of the security infrastructure, as the compromised device could be used to monitor traffic, modify firewall rules, or serve as a pivot point for further attacks within the network.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates released for FortiADC versions affected by this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include implementing strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns and implementing robust input validation mechanisms should be prioritized. Security teams should also consider deploying network detection systems that can identify unusual command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on FortiADC appliances for their network security posture.