CVE-2023-25608 in FortiAP
Summary
by MITRE • 09/13/2023
An incomplete filtering of one or more instances of special elements vulnerability [CWE-792] in the command line interpreter of FortiAP-W2 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.3 through 7.0.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.1, 6.4 all versions, 6.2 all versions, 6.0 all versions; FortiAP-C 5.4.0 through 5.4.4, 5.2 all versions; FortiAP 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.5, 6.4 all versions, 6.0 all versions; FortiAP-U 7.0.0, 6.2.0 through 6.2.5, 6.0 all versions, 5.4 all versions may allow an authenticated attacker to read arbitrary files via specially crafted command arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-25608 represents a critical security flaw in the command line interpreter of multiple FortiAP device models, specifically targeting versions ranging from 5.2 to 7.2 across various firmware releases. This issue falls under CWE-792, which categorizes incomplete filtering of special elements, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for improper handling of command arguments that could lead to unauthorized file access. The vulnerability affects a broad range of FortiAP wireless access point models including FortiAP-W2, FortiAP-C, FortiAP, and FortiAP-U series, spanning multiple major versions and minor releases, indicating a widespread impact across Fortinet's wireless infrastructure portfolio. The flaw exists within the command line interface processing mechanism where special characters and command sequences are not properly sanitized or filtered before execution, creating a pathway for malicious input manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can submit specially crafted command arguments to the affected devices. This authentication requirement does not significantly mitigate the risk as it typically involves credentials that may be compromised through various attack vectors such as credential theft, social engineering, or network sniffing. The incomplete filtering mechanism allows attackers to bypass normal command execution restrictions by injecting special characters or sequences that manipulate the command interpreter into executing unintended file operations. When processed, these malformed command arguments can cause the system to traverse file system paths and read arbitrary files that should normally be restricted, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, system logs, or other confidential information stored on the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within the network infrastructure. Once an attacker gains access to arbitrary file reading capabilities, they can potentially extract sensitive configuration files that contain network credentials, encryption keys, or system parameters that could facilitate additional attacks. The vulnerability's presence across multiple FortiAP device types and firmware versions means that organizations with mixed device deployments face significant risk, as a single compromised device could potentially provide access to broader network segments. Network administrators may find their wireless infrastructure compromised without detection, as the malicious file reading operations could be performed silently in the background, making the attack difficult to trace and identify through standard monitoring procedures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. The most effective immediate response involves updating all affected FortiAP devices to the latest firmware versions that contain patches for this specific vulnerability, as Fortinet has likely released security updates addressing the incomplete filtering issue. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns on wireless infrastructure devices can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary command line interfaces or restricting access to these interfaces to privileged users only, following the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-792 emphasizes the need for proper input validation and sanitization in all command processing interfaces, and organizations should review their own command line interpretation mechanisms for similar flaws that could present analogous security risks to their systems.