CVE-2022-38378 : Security Advisory and Response
Understand the impact of CVE-2022-38378 on Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy, affecting versions 7.2.0 and earlier. Learn about the mitigation steps and solutions provided by Fortinet.
This article provides insights into CVE-2022-38378, an improper privilege management vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy.
Understanding CVE-2022-38378
CVE-2022-38378 is a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers with access to specific admin profiles in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy to upgrade their privileges.
What is CVE-2022-38378?
The vulnerability in FortiOS versions 7.2.0 and older, as well as FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, enables attackers to modify their profiles and elevate privileges to Read Write through CLI or GUI commands.
The Impact of CVE-2022-38378
With a base score of 4 and a severity level of MEDIUM, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized privilege escalation, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data compromise.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-38378
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from improper privilege management in the affected versions of FortiOS and FortiProxy, allowing attackers to exploit admin profile sections to enhance their privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
Fortinet FortiOS versions 7.2.0, FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, and their respective earlier versions are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with access to the admin profile section can manipulate their own profiles using CLI or GUI commands, enabling them to escalate their privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
To mitigate the CVE-2022-38378 vulnerability, users are advised to upgrade to the following versions:
- FortiOS version 7.2.1 or above
- FortiOS version 7.0.8 or above
- FortiProxy version 7.2.2 or above
- FortiProxy version 7.0.8 or above
Long-Term Security Practices
Apart from immediate upgrades, ensuring strict access control policies and regular security audits can help prevent unauthorized privilege escalations.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security patches and staying informed about the latest security advisories from Fortinet is crucial in maintaining the security of FortiOS and FortiProxy systems.