CVE-2023-25607
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an OS command injection vulnerability in Fortinet management interfaces that allows authenticated users with READ permissions to execute arbitrary shell commands. The vulnerability affects FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiADC products across multiple versions. Attackers can exploit this to gain unauthorized command execution on affected systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- FortiManager
- FortiAnalyzer
- FortiADC
📦 What is this software?
Fortiadc by Fortinet
Fortiadc by Fortinet
Fortiadc by Fortinet
Fortiadc by Fortinet
Fortiadc by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortianalyzer by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
Fortimanager by Fortinet
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, install malware, exfiltrate data, pivot to other systems, and maintain persistent access.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation leading to unauthorized administrative access, configuration changes, data theft, and potential lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege access, and monitoring are in place, potentially containing the attack to isolated management segments.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but only READ permissions, making it accessible to many legitimate users. The wordexp function misuse provides direct command injection capability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: FortiManager: 7.2.3, 7.0.8, 6.4.12; FortiAnalyzer: 7.2.3, 7.0.8, 6.4.12; FortiADC: 7.1.1, 7.0.4
Vendor Advisory: https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-352
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup current configuration. 2. Download appropriate firmware version from Fortinet support portal. 3. Upload firmware to device via web interface or CLI. 4. Install firmware update. 5. Reboot device. 6. Verify version and functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Management Interface Access
allLimit access to management interfaces to trusted IP addresses only
config system interface
edit <mgmt_interface>
set allowaccess https ssh ping
set trustedhost <trusted_ip_range>
end
Implement Least Privilege Access
allReview and restrict user permissions to minimum required for their role
config system admin
edit <username>
set accprofile <restricted_profile>
end
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate management interfaces in separate VLAN with strict firewall rules
- Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement potential
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for suspicious command execution attempts
- Regularly review user permissions and remove unnecessary READ access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current firmware version via web interface (System > Dashboard) or CLI command: get system statusCheck Version:
get system status | grep VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is equal to or higher than patched versions listed in fix_official.patch_version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual command execution in system logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
- User with READ permissions performing administrative actions
- Suspicious process creation from web interface
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from management interface
- Traffic patterns inconsistent with normal administrative activities
- Multiple authentication requests from single source
SIEM Query:
source="fortinet" AND (event_type="command_execution" OR event_type="process_creation") AND user_permission="read"