CVE-2023-45582 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides an overview of CVE-2023-45582, including its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-45582

CVE-2023-45582 is an improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability found in FortiMail webmail versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, and versions before 6.4.8. This vulnerability may allow unauthenticated attackers to execute brute force attacks via repeated login attempts.

What is CVE-2023-45582?

The CVE-2023-45582 vulnerability exists in FortiMail webmail versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, and versions prior to 6.4.8. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform brute force attacks by making multiple login attempts without proper authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45582

With a CVSS base score of 5.3 (Medium Severity), this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information, albeit with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The attack complexity is high, and it can be exploited over a network with no user interaction required.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45582

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-307, denoting improper access control. Attackers can leverage this flaw to carry out brute force attacks on vulnerable FortiMail webmail versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

FortiMail versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, and versions preceding 6.4.8 are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-45582 involves repeated login attempts by unauthenticated attackers, enabling them to perform brute force attacks on the targeted endpoints.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-45582, Fortinet recommends the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to FortiMail version 7.4.1 or above
Upgrade to FortiMail version 7.2.5 or above
Upgrade to FortiMail version 7.0.7 or above
Upgrade to FortiMail version 6.4.9 or above

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to immediate upgrades, organizations should implement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and monitor login attempts to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply patches and updates provided by Fortinet to ensure that the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.