CVE-2022-23440 : What You Need to Know

This article provides an overview of CVE-2022-23440, a vulnerability found in Fortinet FortiEDR collectors versions 5.0.2, 5.0.1, 5.0.0, and 4.0.0 that could be exploited by a local attacker to disable and uninstall the collectors from the end-points within the same deployment.

Understanding CVE-2022-23440

CVE-2022-23440 is related to a hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in the registration mechanism of Fortinet FortiEDR collectors, posing a high-risk threat due to potential denial of service (DoS) attacks.

What is CVE-2022-23440?

The vulnerability in FortiEDR collectors versions 5.0.2, 5.0.1, 5.0.0, and 4.0.0 allows a local attacker to compromise the integrity and availability of the system by manipulating the cryptographic keys within the registration process.

The Impact of CVE-2022-23440

With a CVSS base score of 7.6 and high severity ratings for confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, CVE-2022-23440 can lead to DoS scenarios, unauthorized access, and data breaches within affected deployments.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-23440

The vulnerability is characterized by a low attack complexity and vector, requiring low privileges for exploitation, with functional exploit code already available. The immediate remediation level is currently unavailable.

Vulnerability Description

The presence of hard-coded cryptographic keys in FortiEDR collectors enables local attackers to manipulate these keys to disable and uninstall collectors within the deployment, causing disruption and potential data loss.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fortinet's FortiEDR versions 5.0.2, 5.0.1, 5.0.0, and 4.0.0 are affected by this vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of immediate mitigation and security measures to prevent exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The local attacker can utilize the hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in the registration mechanism to compromise the collectors and disrupt the end-points' normal operation, emphasizing the need for timely security updates.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-23440,

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement access controls and restrict unauthorized interactions with FortiEDR collectors
Monitor network activity for any suspicious behavior or attempts to manipulate cryptographic keys

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update FortiEDR software and apply patches to address known vulnerabilities
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate risks within the deployment

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and releases from Fortinet to deploy necessary updates promptly
Maintain a proactive approach to security by ensuring all systems are up to date and protected against emerging threats