CVE-2017-17539 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A hardcoded account in Fortinet FortiWLC versions 7.0.11 and earlier allows attackers to gain unauthorized remote shell access with read and write privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-17539

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWLC versions 7.0.11 and earlier that enables attackers to exploit a hardcoded account for unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2017-17539?

The presence of a hardcoded account in Fortinet FortiWLC 7.0.11 and earlier allows attackers to gain unauthorized read/write access via a remote shell.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17539

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized remote shell access with read and write privileges, compromising the security of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17539

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWLC versions 7.0.11 and earlier allows attackers to exploit a hardcoded account to gain unauthorized remote shell access with read and write privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FortiWLC
Vendor: Fortinet, Inc.
Versions Affected: 7.0.11 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the hardcoded account present in Fortinet FortiWLC versions 7.0.11 and earlier to gain unauthorized remote shell access with read and write privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to the vulnerable system to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the FortiWLC system to address known vulnerabilities and improve security.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the FortiWLC system is updated to a version that addresses the hardcoded account vulnerability to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.