CVE-2020-12816 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

FortiNAC before 8.7.2 by Fortinet is susceptible to a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack, allowing a remote authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands.

Understanding CVE-2020-12816

An improper neutralization of input vulnerability in FortiNAC before 8.7.2 may lead to a stored XSS attack via the UserID of Admin Users.

What is CVE-2020-12816?

This CVE identifies a security flaw in FortiNAC versions prior to 8.7.2 that enables a remote authenticated attacker to execute a stored cross-site scripting attack through the UserID of Admin Users.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12816

The vulnerability allows attackers to perform a stored XSS attack, potentially leading to the execution of unauthorized code or commands on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12816

FortiNAC before 8.7.2 is affected by the following:

Vulnerability Description

Improper neutralization of input vulnerability
Allows a remote authenticated attacker to conduct a stored XSS attack

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Fortinet FortiNAC
Vendor: Fortinet
Versions Affected: FortiNAC before 8.7.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts via the UserID of Admin Users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-12816, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade FortiNAC to version 8.7.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to the UserID of Admin Users.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch FortiNAC to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices to minimize the risk of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Fortinet to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.