Horizon Alert
Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters
FortiOS configuration backup files are vulnerable due to the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key. This flaw could allow an attacker with access to the backup file to decipher sensitive information stored within it. The compromised data includes user passwords, private key passphrases, and High Availability passwords.
- Vulnerable FortiOS configuration backups
- Hard-coded key allows data deciphering
- Sensitive user data and passwords exposed
Attack Path
How an attacker could exploit the issue
An attacker could gain access to sensitive data within a FortiOS configuration backup file. This is possible because the system uses a hard-coded cryptographic key to encrypt this sensitive information. Knowledge of this key allows an attacker to decrypt the backup file and retrieve user passwords, private key passphrases, and High Availability passwords.
- Exposure condition: Configuration backup file access.
- Attacker starting point: Knowledge of hard-coded key.
- Trigger and result: Decipher sensitive data.
Live Threat
Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context
The identified vulnerability could allow an attacker with access to a configuration backup file to decipher sensitive data, including user passwords and private keys. This is achieved by using a hard-coded cryptographic key. The impact is limited to the information contained within the backup file itself.
- Likely attacker skill level: Moderate
- Required access or conditions: Access to backup file
- Business risk or urgency: Low
Priority actions
Operational Fix
Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps
The described vulnerability in FortiOS could allow an attacker with access to a configuration backup file to decipher sensitive data, including user passwords and private key passphrases, by using a known hard-coded cryptographic key. This impacts organizations by potentially exposing critical credentials and configurations if these backup files are compromised. The attack vector is network-based, and an attacker with low privileges can exploit it without user interaction.
- Identify all FortiOS systems with accessible configuration backup files.
- Restrict access to configuration backup files.
- Apply vendor updates, verify the fix, and monitor system logs.
