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Executive Summary
On October 18, 2023, Fortinet disclosed a critical vulnerability designated as CVE-2023-34990, which has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.8. This vulnerability impacts FortiWLM, a wireless LAN management solution, and allows unauthenticated attackers to read sensitive files due to a relative path traversal issue. The vulnerability is rooted in improper input validation on request parameters sent to the endpoint
The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it exposes sensitive data that could be exploited for further attacks or data breaches. Organizations utilizing Fortinet products must act swiftly to mitigate the risks associated with this critical flaw.
Technical Information
CVE-2023-34990 is characterized by a critical security flaw that allows attackers to exploit the FortiWLM management interface. The vulnerability arises from a failure to properly validate user input, specifically the
The vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its unauthenticated nature, meaning that an attacker does not need to be logged in or have any prior access to exploit it. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for potential attackers, making it imperative for organizations to address the issue promptly.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, user data, or other critical information stored on the affected systems. The potential for data exfiltration or further exploitation of the network is a serious concern for organizations relying on Fortinet products.
Exploitation in the Wild
As of the date of this report, there have been no publicly reported instances of CVE-2023-34990 being actively exploited in the wild. However, given the critical nature of the vulnerability and its high CVSS score, it is reasonable to anticipate that threat actors may seek to exploit this flaw in the near future.
Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) related to this vulnerability may include unusual access patterns to the FortiWLM management interface, unexpected file access attempts, or unauthorized changes to configuration files. Organizations should monitor their systems for these signs and take immediate action if any suspicious activity is detected.
APT Groups using this vulnerability
While there is currently no specific attribution of CVE-2023-34990 to any Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a potential target for various threat actors. APT groups often seek to exploit vulnerabilities in widely used software to gain footholds in target networks.
Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which are often targeted by APT groups, should be particularly vigilant. The potential for data breaches and the subsequent impact on reputation and compliance obligations necessitate immediate attention to this vulnerability.
Affected Product Versions
The following versions of FortiWLM are affected by CVE-2023-34990:
- FortiWLM version 8.6
- FortiWLM version 8.5
Organizations using these versions should prioritize upgrading to the latest releases to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Workaround and Mitigation
To address CVE-2023-34990, Fortinet has released updates that rectify the vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest versions of FortiWLM as soon as possible.
In addition to applying the updates, organizations should implement the following best practices to further mitigate risks:
- Regularly review and audit access logs for the FortiWLM management interface to identify any unauthorized access attempts.
- Implement network segmentation to limit access to sensitive systems and data.
- Employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for unusual activity related to the FortiWLM interface.
- Educate staff on the importance of security hygiene and the need to report any suspicious activity.
Organizations should consult the following resources for detailed information on affected versions, remediation steps, and workarounds:
- Fortinet Security Advisory: https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-001
- CISA KEV Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
- NVD Entry for CVE-2023-34990: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34990
- Horizon3.ai Blog Post on CVE-2023-34990: https://horizon3.ai/blog/cve-2023-34990-explained
References
- Fortinet Security Advisory: https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-001
- CISA KEV Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
- NVD Entry for CVE-2023-34990: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34990
- Horizon3.ai Blog Post on CVE-2023-34990: https://horizon3.ai/blog/cve-2023-34990-explained
Rescana is here for you
At Rescana, we are committed to helping our customers navigate the complexities of cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform provides organizations with the tools and insights necessary to identify, assess, and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions regarding this report or any other cybersecurity concerns at ops@rescana.com.
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