CVE-2023-26203 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record was published by Fortinet on May 3, 2023, identifying a vulnerability in FortiNAC and FortiNAC-F products. The vulnerability is related to the use of hard-coded credentials, potentially allowing an authenticated attacker to access the database via shell commands.

Understanding CVE-2023-26203

This section provides detailed insights into the CVE-2023-26203 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-26203?

CVE-2023-26203 is classified as a use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability (CWE-798) in the FortiNAC-F version 7.2.0, FortiNAC version 9.4.2 and below, 9.2 all versions, 9.1 all versions, 8.8 all versions, and 8.7 all versions. This vulnerability may enable an authenticated attacker to gain unauthorized access to the database through shell commands.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26203

The impact of CVE-2023-26203 is rated as medium severity. The vulnerability has a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.1, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires high privileges from the attacker and has a low attack complexity and local attack vector.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26203

In this section, we delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in FortiNAC and FortiNAC-F products arises from hard-coded credentials, allowing an attacker with authenticated access to execute shell commands and potentially access the database.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following versions are affected by CVE-2023-26203:

FortiNAC version 9.4.0 to 9.4.1
FortiNAC version 9.2.0 to 9.2.7
FortiNAC version 9.1.0 to 9.1.9
FortiNAC version 8.8.0 to 8.8.11
FortiNAC version 8.7.0 to 8.7.6
FortiNAC-F version 7.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the hard-coded credentials to execute shell commands and gain unauthorized access to the database.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-26203 and enhance system security, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching recommendations are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to FortiNAC version 9.4.3 or higher.
Upgrade to FortiNAC-F version 7.2.1 or above to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong access control measures, regular security assessments, and employee training to enhance overall network security and prevent unauthorized access to critical systems.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor security advisories from Fortinet and apply patches and updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities and safeguard against potential security risks.