CVE-2024-32115 in FortiManager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2025
A relative path traversal vulnerability [CWE-23] in Fortinet FortiManager version 7.4.0 through 7.4.2 and before 7.2.5 allows a privileged attacker to delete files from the underlying filesystem via crafted HTTP or HTTPs requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical relative path traversal flaw that affects Fortinet FortiManager versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.2 and prior releases before 7.2.5. The issue stems from insufficient input validation in the web interface handling of file operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file system access through carefully crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-23 which specifically addresses relative path traversal attacks where attackers can exploit directory traversal sequences to access files outside the intended directory structure. This weakness allows an authenticated attacker with sufficient privileges to manipulate file system operations and delete arbitrary files from the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the FortiManager web interface fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that controls file paths during file deletion operations. Attackers can construct malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal access controls and navigate to restricted filesystem locations. The vulnerability specifically targets the file deletion functionality within the management interface, allowing an attacker to remove critical system files, configuration data, or other sensitive information from the device's storage. This represents a significant escalation from standard privilege levels since the attacker must already possess valid credentials but can then leverage this weakness to cause substantial damage to the system's integrity and availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32115 extends beyond simple file deletion to potentially compromise the entire FortiManager appliance. Since FortiManager serves as a central management platform for Fortinet firewalls and security devices, the ability to delete critical files could result in complete system failure, loss of configuration data, or disruption of network security operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on FortiManager for centralized security policy management, potentially leaving their network infrastructure vulnerable to extended outages or complete compromise. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where FortiManager systems manage hundreds or thousands of security devices, as a successful exploitation could cascade into widespread security failures across the network perimeter.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Fortinet FortiManager version 7.2.5 or later which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit the number of users with administrative privileges, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious directory traversal patterns in HTTP traffic can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of FortiManager configurations and review access controls to ensure only authorized personnel have the necessary privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1485 for data destruction, emphasizing the need for both preventive measures and incident response preparedness. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated software to ensure compatibility with existing configurations while maintaining the security posture against similar traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the Fortinet security ecosystem.