CVE-2018-13382 is a critical vulnerability classified as an Improper Authorization issue in Fortinet FortiOS versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.0 to 5.6.8, and 5.4.1 to 5.4.10, as well as in FortiProxy versions 2.0.0, 1.2.0 to 1.2.8, 1.1.0 to 1.1.6, and 1.0.0 to 1.0.7. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to modify the password of an SSL VPN web portal user via specially crafted HTTP requests.
The severity of this vulnerability is critical, with a CVSS base score of 9.1. This high score indicates a significant risk, particularly as it allows unauthorized access to user accounts. Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and services.
Known exploitation of this vulnerability has been confirmed, with it being listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential attacks exploiting this vulnerability.
The urgency for defenders is heightened due to the critical nature of this vulnerability and the ease of exploitation. Immediate action is required to mitigate risks associated with this flaw.
Organizations must ensure they are running the latest versions of Fortinet products and apply all recommended patches as soon as possible.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that this vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to modify the password of an SSL VPN web portal user via specially crafted HTTP requests. The affected systems include Fortinet FortiOS versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.0 to 5.6.8, and 5.4.1 to 5.4.10, as well as FortiProxy versions 2.0.0, 1.2.0 to 1.2.8, 1.1.0 to 1.1.6, and 1.0.0 to 1.0.7.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.1, indicating a critical severity level. This score reflects high confidentiality and integrity impacts, with no availability impact. The root cause of this vulnerability is improper authorization checks within the SSL VPN web portal.
The vulnerability was published on June 4, 2019, and the CWE classification is CWE-863.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2018-13382 lies in the improper authorization checks that allow unauthenticated attackers to send crafted HTTP requests to the SSL VPN web portal. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low attack complexity, and no privileges or user interaction are needed to exploit the vulnerability.
The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user accounts, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access and modify sensitive information. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and its ease of exploitation, organizations must take immediate action to mitigate risks.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2018-13382 is significant. Organizations using affected Fortinet products are at high risk of unauthorized access to user accounts, which could lead to data breaches or other malicious activities. The blast radius of an attack exploiting this vulnerability could encompass entire networks, allowing attackers to pivot to more sensitive systems and data.
Given the CVSS score of 9.1 and the status of this vulnerability in the KEV catalog, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle. Immediate action is crucial to mitigate risks and protect sensitive data.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by CVE-2018-13382: FortiOS versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.0 to 5.6.8, and 5.4.1 to 5.4.10; FortiProxy versions 2.0.0, 1.2.0 to 1.2.8, 1.1.0 to 1.1.6, and 1.0.0 to 1.0.7. Organizations running these versions should upgrade to patched releases.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2018-13382, organizations should apply updates as per vendor instructions. Information about the patches can be found in the Fortinet advisories.
If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement configuration hardening to restrict unauthorized access to the SSL VPN web portal and enhance monitoring to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
For further guidance, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing to validate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To detect exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual authentication attempts and unauthorized password changes. Behavioral anomalies indicating potential exploitation should also be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2018-13382 represents a critical risk to Fortinet users, particularly those utilizing SSL VPN functionalities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust authorization checks within web applications.
Security teams must prioritize timely patching and regularly review access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications. For more insights on improving security, organizations can explore vulnerability management programs and consider conducting cloud penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Additionally, organizations should remain vigilant about emerging threats and adapt their security measures accordingly, utilizing insights from penetration testing methodologies to enhance their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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