CVE-2023-34992 in FortiSIEM
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A improper neutralization of special elements used in an os command ('os command injection') vulnerability in Fortinet allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via crafted API requests.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical os command injection flaw in Fortinet products that stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application programming interface. The weakness occurs when the system fails to properly neutralize special characters in API request parameters before executing operating system commands, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands into the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects Fortinet's web application firewall and other security appliances that process API requests containing user-supplied data without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to manipulate API endpoints that handle administrative or configuration commands, where input parameters are directly passed to system command execution functions. When crafted payloads containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or command substitution operators are submitted through API requests, the system processes these inputs without adequate filtering, leading to unauthorized command execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in command contexts and the execution of dynamically generated commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with full system compromise capabilities including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent access to network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Fortinet appliances are widely deployed in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent footholds within critical infrastructure networks. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically requires legitimate administrative access or can be achieved through privilege escalation once initial compromise occurs.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and strict parameter sanitization mechanisms across all API endpoints that handle user-supplied data. Organizations must ensure that all API request parameters undergo rigorous sanitization before any processing occurs, particularly those that interface with system commands or shell execution functions. Fortinet has released patches addressing this vulnerability that should be deployed immediately, while network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be implemented to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing command injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.