Actively exploited vulnerability
Fortinet products: vulnerability flaw under attack
CVE-2024-23113 · Fortinet Multiple Products Format String Vulnerability
What is affected
Fortinet products are found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use them and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.
Fortinet FortiOS, FortiPAM, FortiProxy, and FortiWeb contain a format string vulnerability that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or commands via specially crafted requests.
What an attacker can do
This is a vulnerability flaw. It lets an attacker misuse the product in a way its maker did not intend. CISA lists it because attackers are confirmed to be using it against real systems.
- How it is reached
- Over the internet or network
- Access the attacker needs
- No account needed
- Does the victim have to do something?
- No, works without the victim doing anything
What to do
- Update Fortinet products now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
- Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
- If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vendor advisories and fixes
- fortiguard.comwww.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-029
How urgent is it
CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on October 9, 2024, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by October 30, 2024, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.
The EPSS model estimates a 62% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 99.2% of all scored vulnerabilities.
Its CVSS severity score is 9.8 out of 10 (critical), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.
Technical description
A use of externally-controlled format string in Fortinet FortiOS versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2.0 through 7.2.6, 7.0.0 through 7.0.13, FortiProxy versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2.0 through 7.2.8, 7.0.0 through 7.0.14, FortiPAM versions 1.2.0, 1.1.0 through 1.1.2, 1.0.0 through 1.0.3, FortiSwitchManager versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, 7.0.0 through 7.0.3 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted packets.