CVE-2023-40716 in FortiTester
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2023
An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability [CWE-78] in the command line interpreter of FortiTester 2.3.0 through 7.2.3 may allow an authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized commands via specifically crafted arguments when running execute restore/backup .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw that exists within the command line interpreter of FortiTester devices running firmware versions 2.3.0 through 7.2.3. The issue stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands, which directly maps to CWE-78, the well-documented weakness category for OS command injection. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the execute restore/backup functionality is invoked with specially crafted arguments, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the command line interpreter component of FortiTester. When an authenticated user submits arguments to the execute restore/backup command, the system fails to adequately escape or filter special shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or pipe operators that could alter the intended command execution flow. This weakness allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the device's underlying operating system. An authenticated attacker could leverage this flaw to access sensitive system files, modify configurations, install malicious software, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects a broad range of FortiTester models, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these devices for network testing and validation activities, as the compromised device could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address this command injection vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to FortiTester devices, and strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can execute restore/backup operations. Additionally, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, representing a significant risk to network security infrastructure as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on critical testing equipment that often operates with elevated privileges within network environments.