CVE-2017-17544 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2017-17544, a privilege escalation vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS, allows admin users to elevate their privileges to super_admin by restoring modified configurations.

Understanding CVE-2017-17544

What is CVE-2017-17544?

The vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.6, 5.6.0 to 5.6.10, and 5.4 and earlier enables admin users to escalate their privileges to super_admin through restored configurations.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17544

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows unauthorized elevation of privileges within the FortiOS system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17544

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Fortinet FortiOS versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.6, 5.6.0 to 5.6.10, and 5.4 and below permits admin users to upgrade their permissions to super_admin by reverting modified settings.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FortiOS
Vendor: Fortinet
Versions Affected: < 6.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by admin users manipulating configurations to gain unauthorized super_admin privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Fortinet to address the privilege escalation issue.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity related to privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update FortiOS to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize the impact of privilege escalation.
Conduct security training for system administrators to enhance awareness of potential security risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches released by Fortinet to remediate the privilege escalation vulnerability.