CVE-2022-41335 : What You Need to Know

A path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet products allows attackers to manipulate files on the underlying system through crafted HTTP requests.

Understanding CVE-2022-41335

This CVE involves a relative path traversal vulnerability in multiple Fortinet products, potentially leading to unauthorized file access and manipulation by attackers.

What is CVE-2022-41335?

CVE-2022-41335 is a security vulnerability impacting various Fortinet products, including FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to read and write files on the underlying Linux system through specially crafted HTTP requests.

The Impact of CVE-2022-41335

With a CVSS base score of 8.6, this high-severity vulnerability has a significant impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute unauthorized commands and potentially disrupt normal system operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-41335

This section provides a detailed overview of the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

Fortinet FortiOS versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, 7.0.0 through 7.0.8, FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.7, and FortiSwitchManager 7.2.0 are susceptible to a relative path traversal flaw, allowing attackers to manipulate files on the Linux system via crafted HTTP requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

FortiOS: Versions 7.2.0 to 7.2.2, 7.0.0 to 7.0.8, 6.4.0 to 6.4.10
FortiProxy: Versions 7.2.0 to 7.2.1, 7.0.0 to 7.0.7, 1.2.0 to 2.0.10
FortiSwitchManager: Versions 7.2.0 and below 7.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers can leverage crafted HTTP requests to exploit the path traversal vulnerability and gain unauthorized access to and control over sensitive system files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2022-41335 using the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to FortiOS version 7.2.3 or above
Upgrade to FortiOS version 7.0.9 or above
Upgrade to FortiOS version 6.4.11 or above
Upgrade to FortiOS version 6.2.13 or above
Upgrade to FortiProxy version 7.2.2 or above
Upgrade to FortiProxy version 7.0.8 or above
Upgrade to FortiProxy version 2.0.11 or above
Upgrade to FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.1 or above
Upgrade to FortiSwitchManager version 7.0.1 or above

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access controls, monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, and conduct regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Fortinet and promptly apply software updates and patches to address known vulnerabilities.