CVE-2024-55594 in FortiWeb
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2025
An improper handling of syntactically invalid structure in Fortinet FortiWeb at least vesrions 7.4.0 through 7.4.6 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.10 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.10 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via HTTP/S crafted requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-55594 represents a critical security flaw in Fortinet FortiWeb web application firewalls affecting multiple version ranges including 7.4.0 through 7.4.6, 7.2.0 through 7.2.10, and 7.0.0 through 7.0.10. This issue stems from inadequate validation of HTTP request structures, specifically when processing syntactically invalid or malformed requests that the system should reject. The flaw exists within the application layer processing logic where FortiWeb fails to properly sanitize or reject malformed HTTP requests that contain structures which violate standard HTTP protocol specifications. This improper handling creates a pathway for attackers to craft specially designed HTTP requests that exploit the system's insufficient input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains and aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and CWE-77, which deals with command injection vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given FortiWeb's role as a web application firewall, which typically serves as a critical security control protecting web applications from various cyber threats. When exploited, this vulnerability allows unauthorized code execution or command injection, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected FortiWeb appliance.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2024-55594 occurs when an attacker crafts HTTP requests that contain malformed structures designed to trigger the improper handling behavior within FortiWeb's processing pipeline. These crafted requests leverage the system's failure to properly validate syntactic structures, allowing malicious input to bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with command injection attacks as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute system commands with the privileges of the FortiWeb service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as the vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of the web application firewall, which is designed to protect against such attacks. The improper handling occurs during the HTTP request parsing phase where FortiWeb's input validation logic fails to properly identify and reject malformed structures that should be rejected by standard HTTP protocol compliance mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-55594 is severe and multifaceted, as it undermines the core security functionality of FortiWeb appliances deployed in production environments. Organizations utilizing affected FortiWeb versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in attackers gaining administrative access to the web application firewall, potentially allowing them to disable security features, modify traffic filtering rules, or redirect traffic to malicious destinations. This compromise affects the integrity and availability of web applications protected by the firewall, as attackers could bypass security controls and directly target backend applications. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams including the latest 7.4.x releases indicates a persistent flaw that has not been adequately addressed in recent security updates. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences if affected systems are compromised, as the vulnerability directly impacts the security controls that organizations rely upon for web application protection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address CVE-2024-55594, beginning with urgent deployment of available security patches from Fortinet. The vulnerability's severity classifies it as a critical risk requiring immediate attention, as it directly enables unauthorized code execution capabilities that could be leveraged for extensive system compromise. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, utilizing intrusion detection systems and security information event management solutions. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure no unauthorized access has occurred. System administrators should review and validate all HTTP request handling configurations to identify potential areas where similar validation gaps may exist. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional layers of protection including web application firewalls, API gateways, and network access controls to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques targeting web application security controls, making comprehensive monitoring and response procedures essential for maintaining operational security posture. Regular security awareness training for personnel managing FortiWeb appliances should be implemented to ensure proper configuration and maintenance practices that prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.