CVE-2023-29178 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2023-29178 impacting Fortinet FortiProxy and FortiOS, its technical details, impact, mitigation steps, and solutions. Upgrade to secure versions to prevent exploitation.
A detailed overview of the CVE-2023-29178 vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiProxy and FortiOS.
Understanding CVE-2023-29178
This section provides insights into the nature of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2023-29178?
The CVE-2023-29178 vulnerability involves an access of uninitialized pointer flaw in Fortinet FortiProxy version 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, before 7.0.9, and FortiOS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, before 7.0.11. This allows an authenticated attacker to repetitively crash the httpsd process via crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests.
The Impact of CVE-2023-29178
The vulnerability poses a medium risk threat based on the CVSS v3.1 scoring. It has a base score of 4.1 (Medium severity) and affects the availability of the systems running the vulnerable versions.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-29178
In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw stems from an access of uninitialized pointer vulnerability, categorized under CWE-824 (Denial of service).
Affected Systems and Versions
Fortinet FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 to 7.2.3, FortiOS versions 7.2.0 to 7.2.4, along with specific earlier versions, are impacted.
Exploitation Mechanism
An authenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests to repetitively crash the httpsd process.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-29178 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to upgrade to FortiProxy version 7.2.4 or above, FortiProxy version 7.0.10 or above, FortiOS version 7.2.5 or above, and FortiOS version 7.0.12 or above to address the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly updating and patching systems, implementing network security measures, and monitoring for any unusual activity can enhance overall security posture.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories from Fortinet and promptly apply patches and updates released to address known vulnerabilities.