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Fortinet has issued a critical advisory regarding a newly discovered vulnerability in its FortiSwitch product line. The vulnerability, identified as an unverified password change vulnerability (CWE-620), could allow remote, unauthenticated attackers to modify administrative passwords via specially crafted requests. This flaw affects FortiSwitch’s graphical user interface (GUI) and enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms.
Vulnerability Details: https://lnkd.in/gzAbYJxy
You Should Know:
1. Verify FortiSwitch Firmware Version
Check if your FortiSwitch is vulnerable by running:
get system status
Look for the firmware version and compare it with Fortinet’s advisory.
2. Immediate Mitigation Steps
- Disable GUI Access Temporarily:
config system interface edit "mgmt" set allowaccess ping https ssh end
This restricts access to only necessary protocols.
- Apply the Latest Patch:
Download the fixed firmware from Fortinet’s support portal and upgrade using:execute restore image <firmware_file>.out
3. Monitor for Unauthorized Password Changes
Check admin account modifications with:
diag sys admin list
Audit logs for suspicious activity:
get log fortiswitch-login-history
4. Network Segmentation
Isolate FortiSwitch management interfaces from untrusted networks:
config system interface edit "mgmt" set mode dedicated set role lan end
5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If supported, enforce MFA for administrative access:
config system admin edit "admin" set accprofile "super_admin" set trusthost1 "192.168.1.0/24" set two-factor enable next end
6. Check for Exploitation Attempts
Search logs for brute-force attempts:
get log memory filter type=traffic
7. Automate Threat Detection with SIEM
Forward FortiSwitch logs to a SIEM (e.g., Splunk, ELK) and set alerts for:
– Unusual password reset requests
– Multiple failed login attempts
What Undercode Say:
This vulnerability underscores the critical need for proactive patch management and layered security. Attackers exploit weak authentication mechanisms swiftly, making continuous monitoring essential. Beyond patching, enforce strict access controls, network segmentation, and log auditing. Linux admins should apply similar principles—regularly update iptables/nftables, audit /var/log/auth.log, and enforce SSH key-based authentication.
For Windows defenders, monitor `Event ID 4723` (password changes) and restrict RDP access via GPO. Always assume breach: verify, isolate, and remediate.
Expected Output:
- FortiSwitch firmware patched to the latest version.
- GUI access restricted to trusted IPs.
- MFA enforced for administrative accounts.
- Logs monitored for unauthorized changes.
- Network segmentation applied to management interfaces.
References:
Reported By: Yousef Hawari – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
