CVE-2023-41676 in FortiSIEM
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2023
An exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor [CWE-200] in FortiSIEM version 7.0.0 and before 6.7.5 may allow an attacker with access to windows agent logs to obtain the windows agent password via searching through the logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41676 represents a critical information exposure flaw within FortiSIEM versions 7.0.0 through 6.7.4, categorized under CWE-200 which specifically addresses sensitive information exposure. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the Windows agent logging mechanism, creating an avenue for attackers to extract privileged information from system logs. The flaw manifests when an attacker gains access to Windows agent log files and can perform targeted searches to discover authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure storage and logging of Windows agent passwords within plaintext format within the system logs. When FortiSIEM components generate logs for Windows agents, authentication credentials are written to log files without adequate protection mechanisms or encryption. This practice violates fundamental security principles for credential handling and creates a persistent exposure window where attackers can harvest sensitive information through simple log file searches and pattern matching techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on FortiSIEM for security information and event management. The attack surface expands when considering that Windows agent logs may be accessible through various means including compromised user accounts, insider threats, or misconfigured access controls. Once an attacker successfully extracts the Windows agent password, they can leverage this credential to gain unauthorized access to the Windows systems managed by FortiSIEM, potentially leading to full system compromise, lateral movement within the network, and persistent access to sensitive organizational resources.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential compromise as it enables attackers to perform advanced persistent threat activities aligned with ATT&CK framework techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers can utilize the extracted credentials to establish backdoors, move laterally through network segments, and maintain long-term access to the environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with extensive Windows infrastructure deployments where FortiSIEM agents are configured to monitor and manage multiple systems, amplifying the potential damage from a single credential exposure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary log file access, implementing proper access controls for log files, and applying the vendor-provided patches for FortiSIEM versions 6.7.5 and later. Additional protective measures include implementing log file encryption, regular credential rotation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to logging systems. The remediation process should also include comprehensive log review procedures to identify and remove any previously exposed credentials, along with enhanced security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper credential handling practices and the necessity of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar exposure scenarios.