CVE-2022-42478 in FortiSIEM
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2023
An Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts [CWE-307] in FortiSIEM below 7.0.0 may allow a non-privileged user with access to several endpoints to brute force attack these endpoints.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42478 represents a critical weakness in FortiSIEM versions prior to 7.0.0 that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-307, which specifically addresses improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts. This flaw creates a pathway for malicious actors to conduct brute force attacks against network endpoints through the FortiSIEM platform, exploiting the lack of adequate rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects non-privileged users who already have access to multiple endpoints within the network, essentially providing them with the means to escalate their privileges through systematic credential guessing attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from FortiSIEM's insufficient authentication controls that fail to properly monitor and restrict the number of consecutive authentication attempts made against endpoint systems. Without proper enforcement of account lockout policies or rate limiting mechanisms, an attacker can systematically test numerous credential combinations against target endpoints without triggering protective measures. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where FortiSIEM is commonly deployed for security information and event management, as it allows adversaries to leverage the platform's legitimate access privileges to conduct unauthorized authentication attempts against connected systems. The attack vector is amplified by the fact that the compromised user already possesses access to multiple endpoints, providing them with numerous targets for credential testing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, sensitive data systems, and privileged accounts within the environment. The ability to perform brute force attacks through a legitimate security platform creates a sophisticated attack scenario where the attacker can operate under the guise of normal security monitoring activities, making detection significantly more challenging. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the authentication framework, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally through the network, escalate privileges, and access confidential information. The attack can be particularly devastating in environments where FortiSIEM is used to monitor and control access to critical systems, as the attacker can exploit this weakness to bypass security controls that should be protecting those systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to FortiSIEM version 7.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication restriction flaw. Additional protective measures should include implementing strict rate limiting and account lockout policies for all authentication attempts, configuring monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also review and strengthen their access control policies, ensuring that users have appropriate levels of access and that privileged accounts are protected with multi-factor authentication. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as credential access through brute force and privilege escalation, highlighting the importance of implementing proper authentication controls and monitoring for suspicious authentication activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust authentication security measures and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to enterprise systems.