CVE-2023-23780 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-23780 was assigned by Fortinet and published on February 16, 2023. It pertains to a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.1, 6.3.6 through 6.3.19, as well as all versions of FortiWeb 6.4. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges through specifically crafted HTTP requests.

Understanding CVE-2023-23780

This section provides insight into the nature of CVE-2023-23780, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-23780?

CVE-2023-23780 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb products, allowing attackers to escalate privileges via manipulated HTTP requests.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23780

This vulnerability poses a high severity risk, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.6. The attack complexity is low, but the impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity is high. Attackers can abuse this vulnerability without requiring high privileges and with no user interaction needed.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23780

Understanding the technical aspects of CVE-2023-23780 is crucial for effective mitigation and prevention.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a stack-based buffer overflow in Fortinet FortiWeb products when processing HTTP requests, leading to privilege escalation for attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fortinet FortiWeb versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.1, 6.3.6 through 6.3.19, and all versions of FortiWeb 6.4 are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-23780 by sending specially crafted HTTP requests, triggering the stack-based buffer overflow and enabling them to elevate privileges within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-23780 is essential to safeguarding systems and data.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to FortiWeb version 7.0.2 or above to address the vulnerability. Additionally, upgrading to FortiWeb version 6.3.20 or higher is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regular vulnerability assessments, network segmentation, and access controls, can enhance the overall security posture and help prevent future incidents.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant about security updates from Fortinet and promptly applying patches to address known vulnerabilities is key to maintaining a secure environment. Regularly monitoring security advisories can help organizations stay ahead of potential threats.