Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: Critical Fortinet vulnerability

A critical vulnerability is affecting many Fortinet devices. Approximately 150,000 Fortinet OS and FortiProxy Secure Web Gateway systems are believed to be exposed to this flaw. Continue reading this Cybersecurity Threat Advisory to learn how you can mitigate the potential risk and impact of this vulnerability.

What is the threat?

The vulnerability known as CVE-2024-21762 could allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code via crafted HTTP requests on affected devices, compromising their security and potentially providing unauthorized access to sensitive information or allowing for further network infiltration.

Why is it noteworthy?

This vulnerability is significant due to the potential for remote code execution poses. This poses a severe risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data and critical systems.

What is the exposure or risk?

Organizations utilizing FortiOS and FortiProxy systems are at risk of exploitation if they fail to apply necessary patches or implement appropriate mitigations. Threat actors could leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to internal networks, exfiltrate sensitive information, disrupt operations, or launch further cyberattacks. This can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

Attackers could exploit CVE-2024-21762 to gain a foothold within a network, escalate privileges, and execute malicious activities with elevated privileges, such as deploying ransomware, stealing sensitive data, or conducting espionage. Furthermore, the remote nature of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation without requiring physical access to the targeted devices, making it a convenient vector for attackers seeking to compromise networks remotely.

What are the recommendations?

Barracuda MSP recommends the following actions to limit the impact of this vulnerability:

1. Regularly check for and apply software updates and patches provided by Fortinet. Vendors frequently patch vulnerabilities in software updates, emphasizing the importance of keeping your devices up to date.
2. Implement network segmentation to isolate sensitive systems and devices from potentially vulnerable ones. This can help contain the impact of a successful exploitation.
3. Enforce strong access controls, including strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, to limit unauthorized access to your Fortinet devices.
4. Implement firewall rules to restrict traffic to and from Fortinet devices to only necessary ports and protocols.
5. Deploy and regularly update intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect and block potential attacks targeting your systems.
6. Establish robust security monitoring practices to detect any unusual or suspicious activity on your Fortinet devices.
7. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities within your network.
8. Provide regular training to employees on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing and reporting potential security threats.
9. Implement regular data backups and develop a comprehensive incident response plan to quickly recover from any security incidents or breaches targeting devices.

References

For more in-depth information about the recommendations, please visit the following links:

• https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/critical-fortinet-flaw-may-impact-150-000-exposed-devices/
• https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-fortinet-rce-bug-is-actively-exploited-cisa-confirms/

If you have any questions regarding this Cybersecurity Threat Advisory, please contact Barracuda XDR’s Security Operations Center.