CVE-2023-28002 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2023
An improper validation of integrity check value vulnerability [CWE-354] in FortiOS 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 6.4 all versions, 6.2 all versions, 6.0 all versions and FortiProxy 7.2 all versions, 7.0 all versions, 2.0 all versions VMs may allow a local attacker with admin privileges to boot a malicious image on the device and bypass the filesystem integrity check in place.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28002 represents a critical weakness in Fortinet's FortiOS and FortiProxy software implementations that directly undermines the integrity protection mechanisms designed to secure network infrastructure devices. This issue falls under CWE-354, which specifically addresses improper validation of integrity check values, a category that has historically proven particularly dangerous in security contexts where device integrity is paramount. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Fortinet products including various versions of FortiOS and FortiProxy, spanning multiple major releases from version 6.0 through 7.2, creating an extensive attack surface that impacts organizations relying on these security appliances for network protection.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of integrity check values during the boot process of affected Fortinet devices. When a system with admin privileges attempts to boot a malicious image, the validation mechanisms fail to properly verify the integrity of the loaded image, allowing unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability specifically targets the filesystem integrity check mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The flaw enables a local attacker with administrative access to bypass these protective measures, effectively undermining the security model that Fortinet devices rely upon to maintain system integrity and prevent unauthorized modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain deeper control over affected systems. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for the execution of malicious code that can potentially compromise the entire device and its network functions. This represents a significant escalation from standard privilege escalation attacks, as it enables attackers to manipulate the boot process and potentially install backdoors or other persistent malicious components. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions and product lines means that organizations must conduct comprehensive assessments of their entire Fortinet infrastructure to identify affected systems and implement appropriate mitigations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official Fortinet patches and updates, as the window for exploitation remains open while systems remain unpatched. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions, implementation of strict access controls, and monitoring for anomalous boot activities or unauthorized system modifications. Security teams should also consider implementing additional integrity monitoring mechanisms beyond the built-in checks, as this vulnerability demonstrates the potential for bypassing even well-designed integrity validation processes. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-354 highlights the importance of robust validation mechanisms in security-critical systems, particularly those that form the foundation of network security infrastructure. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, as the ability to bypass filesystem integrity checks represents a sophisticated attack vector that may not be immediately apparent through standard security monitoring.