CVE-2024-40584 in FortiAnalyzer
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2025
An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability [CWE-78] in Fortinet FortiAnalyzer version 7.4.0 through 7.4.3, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.13, 6.4.0 through 6.4.15 and 6.2.2 through 6.2.13, Fortinet FortiManager version 7.4.0 through 7.4.3, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.13, 6.4.0 through 6.4.15 and 6.2.2 through 6.2.13, Fortinet FortiAnalyzer BigData version 7.4.0, 7.2.0 through 7.2.7, 7.0.1 through 7.0.6, 6.4.5 through 6.4.7 and 6.2.5, Fortinet FortiAnalyzer Cloud version 7.4.1 through 7.4.3, 7.2.1 through 7.2.5, 7.0.1 through 7.0.13 and 6.4.1 through 6.4.7 and Fortinet FortiManager Cloud version 7.4.1 through 7.4.3, 7.2.1 through 7.2.5, 7.0.1 through 7.0.13 and 6.4.1 through 6.4.7 GUI allows an authenticated privileged attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via crafted HTTPS or HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40584 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw that affects multiple Fortinet security appliances including FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, and their respective cloud variants. This vulnerability resides in the graphical user interface components of these systems and manifests as an improper neutralization of special elements used in OS command execution, directly mapping to CWE-78 which classifies command injection as a severe security weakness. The affected versions span across several major release lines including 6.2.x, 6.4.x, 7.0.x, 7.2.x, and 7.4.x, indicating a widespread exposure across Fortinet's product portfolio. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interfaces that process user inputs through HTTPS or HTTP protocols, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate system commands through crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated privileged attacker who can leverage the web GUI to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process. This command injection occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being passed to system commands, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system. The attack vector specifically targets the GUI components that handle HTTP/HTTPS requests, where input parameters are processed without adequate sanitization measures. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain full system compromise, as the executed commands run with elevated privileges typically associated with system administration. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network security monitoring and management systems. Organizations relying on FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager for security information and event management face significant risk of unauthorized access to their security logs, threat intelligence, and network monitoring data. The vulnerability can be exploited to execute commands that may allow attackers to disable security features, modify log entries to cover their tracks, or even compromise the entire security infrastructure by gaining access to underlying network devices managed by these systems. This attack surface aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as the exploitation requires legitimate administrative credentials while enabling unauthorized command execution. The potential for lateral movement within networks increases significantly as compromised FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager systems may serve as central points for accessing other network components.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Fortinet to address this vulnerability across all affected versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative access to these systems, implementing principle of least privilege and multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular monitoring of system logs for suspicious command execution patterns and unusual administrative activities should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any unauthorized access or modifications that may have occurred during exploitation windows. The remediation process should include validating that all affected systems have been properly updated and that no unauthorized command execution has occurred. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to command injection attacks can provide additional layers of defense. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, as the nature of command injection attacks can lead to significant system compromise and data breaches.