CVE-2023-23776 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in FortiAnalyzer, specifically affecting versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.4, and 6.4.0 through 6.4.10. The vulnerability allows a remote authenticated attacker to access sensitive information, specifically exposing client machine passwords in plain text.

Understanding CVE-2023-23776

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-23776, outlining the impact, technical aspects, and ways to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.

What is CVE-2023-23776?

CVE-2023-23776 is classified as an information disclosure vulnerability, also known as CWE-200, which exposes sensitive data to unauthorized individuals. In this case, the vulnerability in FortiAnalyzer enables a remote authenticated attacker to retrieve client machine passwords in plain text.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23776

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 4.6. It requires low privileges and user interaction but has the potential for high attack complexity. While the availability impact is low, it poses risks to confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23776

This section provides a deeper dive into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-23776, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in FortiAnalyzer versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.4, and 6.4.0 through 6.4.10 allows a remote authenticated attacker to retrieve client machine passwords in plain text during a log-fetch request.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted systems include FortiAnalyzer versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.1, 7.0.0 through 7.0.4, and 6.4.0 through 6.4.10. Users operating these versions are at risk of exploitation by a remote authenticated attacker.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated attacker sending a log-fetch request to the FortiAnalyzer, which then responds with sensitive information, including client machine passwords in plain text.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from the CVE-2023-23776 vulnerability, it is crucial to follow immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and ensure the necessary patches and updates are applied promptly.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade their FortiAnalyzer instances to version 7.2.2 or higher, version 7.0.5 or higher, or version 6.4.11 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access control measures, monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities, and conducting regular security audits can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for security updates, applying patches promptly, and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities in FortiAnalyzer and other software components are essential for maintaining a secure environment.