CVE-2023-26209 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in Fortinet FortiDeceptor that could potentially allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to exhaust CPU and memory resources by sending numerous HTTP requests to the login form. The vulnerability has been assigned a base score of 3.5, indicating a low severity level.

Understanding CVE-2023-26209

This section aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the CVE-2023-26209 vulnerability in Fortinet FortiDeceptor.

What is CVE-2023-26209?

CVE-2023-26209 is an improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability (CWE-307) in Fortinet FortiDeceptor versions 3.1.x and earlier. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to partial exhaustion of CPU and memory resources on the targeted system through the exploitation of the login form.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26209

The impact of CVE-2023-26209 includes a potential denial of service scenario where a remote attacker can impact system performance by overwhelming it with HTTP requests, causing CPU and memory consumption issues.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26209

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-26209, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Fortinet FortiDeceptor versions allows remote unauthenticated attackers to exhaust CPU and memory via the login form by sending excessive HTTP requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fortinet FortiDeceptor versions 3.1.x and earlier are susceptible to this vulnerability, with specific versions such as 3.1.1, 3.0.2, 2.1.0, 2.0.0, 1.1.0, 1.0.1 being affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a large number of HTTP requests to the login form of vulnerable Fortinet FortiDeceptor versions, a remote unauthenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability to exhaust CPU and memory resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-26209 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to FortiAuthenticator version 6.5.0 or above, FortiDeceptor version 3.2.0 or above, FortiMail version 6.4.1 or above, FortiMail version 6.2.5 or above, and FortiMail version 6.0.10 or above to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proactive security measures such as network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments to bolster overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply patches and updates provided by Fortinet to ensure that the latest security fixes are in place, reducing the risk of exploitation from known vulnerabilities.

By following these mitigation strategies, organizations can effectively address the CVE-2023-26209 vulnerability and enhance the security of their Fortinet FortiDeceptor deployments.