CVE-2022-39946 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article discusses the CVE-2022-39946 vulnerability affecting FortiNAC and provides details on its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2022-39946

This section provides an overview of the access control vulnerability in FortiNAC and its implications.

What is CVE-2022-39946?

The CVE-2022-39946 vulnerability is an access control issue in FortiNAC versions 9.4.2 and below, 9.2.7 and below, 9.1, 8.8, 8.7, 8.6, and 8.5. It could allow a remote authenticated attacker to make unauthorized JSP calls via crafted HTTP requests.

The Impact of CVE-2022-39946

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 7.2. An attacker could exploit this issue to perform unauthorized actions on the administrative interface, potentially leading to data confidentiality breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-39946

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper access control in various FortiNAC versions, enabling authenticated attackers to execute unauthorized JSP calls through specially crafted HTTP requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

FortiNAC versions 9.4.2 and below, 9.2.7 and below, 9.1, 8.8, 8.7, 8.6, and 8.5 are impacted by this vulnerability, potentially exposing them to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers authenticated on the administrative interface can leverage crafted HTTP requests to manipulate JSP calls, bypassing access controls and executing unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the CVE-2022-39946 vulnerability and enhance overall security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to FortiNAC-F version 7.2.0 or above
Upgrade to FortiNAC version 9.4.3 or above
Upgrade to FortiNAC version 9.2.8 or above

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate regular security assessments, trainings, and implement access control best practices to fortify your systems against potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Fortinet to address vulnerabilities promptly.