CVE-2022-38378 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2023
An improper privilege management vulnerability [CWE-269] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.2.0 and before 7.0.7 and FortiProxy version 7.2.0 through 7.2.1 and before 7.0.7 allows an attacker that has access to the admin profile section (System subsection Administrator Users) to modify their own profile and upgrade their privileges to Read Write via CLI or GUI commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy products that directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege management. The issue stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the administrative user profile management system, specifically within the System subsection Administrator Users section. Attackers who already possess administrative access can exploit this weakness to elevate their privileges from read-only to read-write access, fundamentally undermining the security model of these network security appliances. The vulnerability affects versions up to and including 7.2.1 of FortiProxy and FortiOS versions prior to 7.0.7, creating a substantial attack surface across multiple product lines.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows unauthorized privilege modification through both command line interface and graphical user interface mechanisms, demonstrating a complete breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement. When an attacker accesses the admin profile section, the system fails to properly validate whether the current user has sufficient authorization to perform privilege modifications, particularly when attempting to upgrade from read-only to read-write access levels. This improper privilege management vulnerability (CWE-269) creates a direct path for attackers to gain expanded capabilities within the network security infrastructure, enabling them to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire security ecosystem. The vulnerability exists because the system lacks proper authorization checks during profile modification operations, allowing any user with access to the administrative section to manipulate their own privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on Fortinet security appliances, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system functions that should be restricted to privileged administrators only. Once an attacker achieves read-write privileges, they can modify firewall rules, alter network configurations, access logs and monitoring data, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This privilege escalation capability directly violates the defense-in-depth principles that organizations implement to protect their critical assets, as it allows attackers to move laterally within the network security ecosystem and escalate their access to other systems that may be protected by the same security appliance. The vulnerability also creates a significant risk for compliance and audit requirements, as unauthorized modifications to security configurations can go undetected for extended periods.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates from Fortinet to address the privilege management flaw, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for administrative profile modifications, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all Fortinet appliances in their environment. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to minimize the impact of potential compromise, while continuous monitoring of administrative activities should be enabled to detect unauthorized privilege modifications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of access control mechanisms, particularly in critical infrastructure components. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as role-based access control enforcement, multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regular privilege reviews to ensure that access rights remain appropriate and secure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper privilege management in network security systems and the potential consequences of inadequate access control validation.