CVE-2022-40676 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the details of CVE-2022-40676, a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiNAC versions 8.3.7 to 9.4.0. Learn about impacts, mitigation steps, and solutions.
This CVE-2022-40676 article provides insights into a security vulnerability found in Fortinet FortiNAC software.
Understanding CVE-2022-40676
CVE-2022-40676 is related to improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('cross-site scripting') in Fortinet FortiNAC software.
What is CVE-2022-40676?
Fortinet FortiNAC versions 9.4.0, 9.2.0 through 9.2.5, 9.1.0 through 9.1.8, 8.8.0 through 8.8.11, 8.7.0 through 8.7.6, 8.6.0 through 8.6.5, 8.5.0 through 8.5.4, 8.3.7 are affected, potentially allowing attackers to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted http requests.
The Impact of CVE-2022-40676
The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 7.1, indicating a high severity issue with a network-based attack complexity, requiring user interaction but no additional privileges. The availability, confidentiality, and integrity impacts are all considered high.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-40676
This section elaborates on the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability originates from a lack of input neutralization during web page creation, enabling cross-site scripting attacks that allow unauthorized code execution.
Affected Systems and Versions
Fortinet FortiNAC versions 9.4.0, 9.2.0 to 9.2.5, 9.1.0 to 9.1.8, 8.8.0 to 8.8.11, 8.7.0 to 8.7.6, 8.6.0 to 8.6.5, 8.5.0 to 8.5.4, and 8.3.7 are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending malicious http requests, triggering the execution of unauthorized commands or code within the affected FortiNAC systems.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2022-40676 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to upgrade their FortiNAC software to the recommended versions as per Fortinet's solutions.
Long-Term Security Practices
Beyond immediate updates, maintaining up-to-date software, monitoring for security advisories, and employing secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
To address CVE-2022-40676, users should upgrade to FortiNAC version 9.4.1 or above, 9.2.6 or above, 9.1.9 or above, or 7.2.0 or above, as recommended by Fortinet.