CVE-2024-55591 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2025
An Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS version 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy version 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.12 allows a remote attacker to gain super-admin privileges via crafted requests to Node.js websocket module.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-55591 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that specifically targets Fortinet's FortiOS and FortiProxy platforms. This issue stems from an improper implementation of authentication mechanisms within the Node.js websocket module, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that bypasses the standard security controls. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of FortiOS 7.0.x and FortiProxy 7.0.x and 7.2.x, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing these network security solutions. The flaw operates through an alternate path or channel that allows attackers to circumvent the normal authentication procedures, effectively granting them super-admin privileges without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-288, which specifically addresses authentication bypasses that occur through alternative access methods, highlighting the fundamental weakness in the security architecture of these platforms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts specific requests that target the Node.js websocket module implementation within the affected Fortinet products. These crafted requests leverage the alternate authentication path to bypass the standard authentication mechanisms that should normally validate user credentials and permissions. The websocket module serves as an entry point where the authentication checks are either missing, improperly implemented, or can be circumvented through carefully constructed malicious payloads. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish unauthorized administrative sessions, potentially gaining full control over the affected network security appliances. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where such appliances are exposed to external traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to assume super-admin privileges on affected Fortinet appliances, potentially leading to complete network compromise. Organizations relying on these security platforms for network protection face significant risks including unauthorized access to network configurations, data exfiltration, and the ability to modify or disable security controls. The compromise of FortiOS and FortiProxy appliances can result in widespread network disruption, as these platforms typically serve as critical gateways for network traffic control and security enforcement. Attackers could leverage this privilege escalation to establish persistent access, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised appliances as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The implications extend beyond immediate security breaches to include potential regulatory compliance violations and significant operational disruption.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by Fortinet to address this vulnerability, as these updates contain the necessary fixes to prevent the authentication bypass. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected appliances to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous websocket traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems and security information event management solutions can help identify suspicious authentication attempts and websocket connections that deviate from normal operational patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Fortinet deployments to identify any potential unauthorized access that may have already occurred, and consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible to add additional layers of security beyond the vulnerable authentication paths. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that exploit authentication weaknesses in network infrastructure components.