CVE-2022-35846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-35846, an improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability in FortiTester Telnet port.

Understanding CVE-2022-35846

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2022-35846.

What is CVE-2022-35846?

CVE-2022-35846 is an improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability in FortiTester Telnet port, versions 2.3.0 through 3.9.1, 4.0.0 through 4.2.0, and 7.0.0 through 7.1.0. This vulnerability may allow an unauthenticated attacker to guess admin credentials through a brute force attack.

The Impact of CVE-2022-35846

The CVSS score for CVE-2022-35846 is 8.1, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability has a significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making it crucial to address promptly.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-35846

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper restrictions on authentication attempts, potentially enabling unauthorized access to admin credentials.

Affected Systems and Versions

FortiTester versions 2.3.0 through 3.9.1, 4.0.0 through 4.2.0, and 7.0.0 through 7.1.0 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by launching brute force attacks to guess admin user credentials, leading to unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately restrict access to the affected systems, implement strong password policies, and monitor for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly conduct security assessments, provide security awareness training, and keep systems updated to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Fortinet to address the CVE-2022-35846 vulnerability and ensure all systems are up to date.