CVE-2017-7731 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Fortinet FortiPortal versions 4.0.0 and earlier are susceptible to an information disclosure vulnerability in the Forgotten Password feature.

Understanding CVE-2017-7731

This CVE involves a weakness in password recovery mechanisms that can be exploited by attackers to disclose sensitive information.

What is CVE-2017-7731?

A vulnerability in Fortinet FortiPortal versions 4.0.0 and below allows attackers to bypass weak password recovery mechanisms, leading to information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7731

The vulnerability enables attackers to access sensitive information through the Forgotten Password feature, compromising data confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7731

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The weakness in password recovery mechanisms of Fortinet FortiPortal versions 4.0.0 and earlier permits attackers to carry out information disclosure via the Forgotten Password feature.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Fortinet FortiPortal
Vendor: Fortinet, Inc.
Versions Affected: FortiPortal versions 4.0.0 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the Forgotten Password feature to bypass weak password recovery mechanisms.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-7731 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Fortinet FortiPortal to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement strong password recovery mechanisms to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit password recovery processes for any anomalies.
Educate users on creating strong and unique passwords to enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches provided by Fortinet to mitigate the vulnerability.