CVE-2024-50562 is classified as an Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiOS SSL-VPN versions 7.6.0, 7.4.6 and below, 7.2.10 and below, 7.0 (all versions), and 6.4 (all versions). This vulnerability allows an attacker possessing a valid session cookie to log in to the SSL-VPN portal even after the session has expired or the user has logged out.
The severity of this vulnerability is rated as medium, with a CVSS score of 4.8. This rating signifies that while the vulnerability is not critical, it poses a significant risk to organizations that rely on FortiOS for secure remote access.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and resources, especially if the affected SSL-VPN is exposed to the internet. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain access to internal systems, making it imperative for organizations to take immediate action.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, as exploitability has been confirmed and public exploitation may occur. Addressing this vulnerability in a timely manner will help mitigate potential unauthorized access risks.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that the Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerability [CWE-613] in FortiOS SSL-VPN allows an attacker in possession of a cookie used to log in to the SSL-VPN portal to log in again, even if the session has expired or was logged out. This flaw is present in several versions of FortiOS, specifically version 7.6.0, version 7.4.6 and below, version 7.2.10 and below, 7.0 all versions, and 6.4 all versions.
The CVSS score of 4.8 indicates that this is a medium-severity vulnerability. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, and the attack complexity is rated as HIGH, meaning that attackers may require specific conditions to exploit this vulnerability.
The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both rated as LOW, while availability is rated as NONE. The affected products are FortiOS and FortiSASE, which are widely used in enterprise environments.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management in the SSL-VPN implementation. Specifically, the system fails to properly invalidate session cookies upon logout or expiration, allowing attackers to reuse these cookies for unauthorized access.
The attack vector is through the network, with a high attack complexity. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where the SSL-VPN is accessible over the internet.
Organizations using FortiOS should be aware that if exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems, underscoring the importance of immediate remediation.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2024-50562 is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on FortiOS for remote access. If exploited, attackers may gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially leading to data breaches or further exploitation of internal systems.
The blast radius for this vulnerability can be extensive, especially in environments where the SSL-VPN is the primary means of remote access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain footholds in corporate networks, leading to broader exploitation.
As this vulnerability is rated with a medium CVSS score, organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that all components are up to date and adequately protected.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of FortiOS include 7.6.0, 7.4.6 and below, 7.2.10 and below, as well as all versions of 7.0 and 6.4. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to remediate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2024-50562, organizations should update to the latest patched versions of FortiOS. Regular updates are critical in maintaining security posture. In case a patch is not immediately available, organizations should consider implementing session timeouts and cookie invalidation mechanisms.
Additionally, organizations can enhance their security by implementing network controls to limit access to the SSL-VPN and monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts. Continuous security testing can further validate the effectiveness of these measures.
For comprehensive guidance on securing your systems, organizations may refer to penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unusual access patterns or repeated login attempts using expired session tokens. Behavioral anomalies indicating unauthorized access should be flagged for immediate investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-50562 highlights the need for robust session management practices in network security solutions. This vulnerability represents a broader trend of insufficient session handling that can lead to unauthorized access.
Security teams should learn from this incident to strengthen their session management protocols and ensure that security measures are in place to mitigate similar vulnerabilities. Continuous security assessments will aid in identifying and addressing weaknesses in session management before they can be exploited.
For additional insights on improving security practices, consider exploring topics such as penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management program design to enhance your security posture.
Known Exploitation Timeline
As of now, there is no known exploitation actively reported in the wild for this vulnerability.
EPSS Risk Context
The EPSS score for CVE-2024-50562 is 0.00396, placing it in the 60.2 percentile. This indicates that while the actual risk is low, organizations should still remain vigilant and monitor for any potential exploits.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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