CVE-2023-22641 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-22641 advisory provides information about a security vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy that could allow an authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands.

Understanding CVE-2023-22641

CVE-2023-22641 involves a url redirection to an untrusted site ('open redirect') in various versions of Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy. This vulnerability could be exploited by an authenticated attacker through specially crafted requests.

What is CVE-2023-22641?

The CVE-2023-22641 vulnerability is classified as CWE-601, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized code or commands on affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22641

The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 4.1, with a base severity of MEDIUM. The attack complexity is considered LOW, with low privileges required. While the availability impact is rated as NONE, the integrity impact is LOW. User interaction is required for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22641

This section provides specific technical details related to the CVE-2023-22641 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, 7.0.0 through 7.0.9, 6.4.0 through 6.4.12, and all versions of 6.2 and 6.0, as well as FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, 7.0.0 through 7.0.8, and all versions of 2.0, 1.2, 1.1, and 1.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Fortinet products are impacted by this vulnerability:

FortiOS versions 7.2.0 - 7.2.3, 7.0.0 - 7.0.9, 6.4.0 - 6.4.12, 6.2, and 6.0
FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 - 7.2.2, 7.0.0 - 7.0.8, 2.0, 1.2, 1.1, and 1.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing unauthorized code or commands through crafted requests, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-22641, users and organizations are advised to take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Fortinet FortiProxy to version 7.2.3 or above
Upgrade Fortinet FortiOS to version 7.2.4 or above
Upgrade Fortinet FortiOS to version 7.0.10 or above
Upgrade Fortinet FortiOS to version 6.4.13 or above

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to follow security best practices such as implementing network segmentation, least privilege access controls, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by Fortinet to ensure that systems are protected against known vulnerabilities and security risks.