Attackers exploit a new zero
Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2024-55591 | Unauthenticated Super-Admin Bypass in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy CVE-2024-55591 is an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in the Node.js websocket module of Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy that lets a remote, unauthenticated attacker gain super-admin privileges via crafted websocket requests. It affects FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.12, and is trivially triggerable from the network with no user interaction given network access to the management/websocket interface. Successful exploitation gives full super-admin control of the appliance, which attackers can use to pivot, create persistent access, and deploy ransomware. Any organization running the affected FortiOS or FortiProxy versions, especially with admin interfaces reachable from the internet, is affected. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-01-14, and multiple ransomware crews (reported as Gunra, SuperBlack, and Mora_001) are actively exploiting it. Do: Upgrade all affected systems beyond the vulnerable ranges — FortiOS later than 7.0.16 and FortiProxy later than 7.0.19 / 7.2.12 — following Fortinet's advisory, or apply the vendor's mitigations where upgrades are not possible (per CISA KEV instructions). Restrict access to the admin/websocket interface from the internet, and hunt for unauthorized super-admin accounts and suspicious websocket connections, since ransomware operators are actively exploiting this flaw. Verify device versions and audit logs for signs of compromise before and after patching. | 9.8 | 98% | KEV ransomware |
| large≈48,000+ internet-exposed Fortinet devices per public scans, out of an installed base in the hundreds of thousands | |
| CVE-2025-24472 | Authentication Bypass in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy Grants Super-Admin Access CVE-2025-24472 is an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in the Fortinet Security Fabric of FortiOS and FortiProxy. A remote, unauthenticated attacker who already knows the serial numbers of both the upstream and downstream devices can send crafted CSF proxy requests to gain super-admin privileges on the downstream device; the attack only works where the Security Fabric is enabled, and the need for serial-number knowledge raises attack complexity. An attacker gains full super-admin control of the downstream Fortinet device, which can serve as a foothold for network-wide compromise. Organizations running affected FortiOS 7.0.x or FortiProxy 7.0.x/7.2.x builds with Security Fabric enabled are in scope. The flaw was added to CISA's KEV catalog on 2025-03-18 with known ransomware use, and multiple ransomware groups (including Gunra, SuperBlack, Mora_001 and Qilin operators) have been reported exploiting Fortinet firewall flaws in recent campaigns. Do: Upgrade FortiOS 7.0.x and FortiProxy 7.0.x/7.2.x deployments to the fixed releases listed in the Fortinet PSIRT advisory for CVE-2025-24472, and identify any devices where the Security Fabric is enabled and serial numbers of peer devices may be discoverable. As interim mitigation, restrict or disable Security Fabric (CSF) connectivity toward untrusted peers and limit access to the CSF proxy handling path. Because the flaw is KEV-listed with known ransomware use, federal agencies must apply vendor mitigations per BOD 22-01 or discontinue use, and all defenders should review device logs for unexpected super-admin sessions and anomalous CSF proxy traffic. | 8.1 | 7% | KEV ransomware |
| masshundreds of thousands of deployed Fortinet appliances plausibly affected; the practical subset is those with Security Fabric enabled |
Full article524 words · extracted from securityaffairs.com · click to collapse
Pierluigi Paganini
February 11, 2025
Fortinet warned of attacks using a now-patched zero-day vulnerability in FortiOS and FortiProxy to hijack Fortinet firewalls.
Fortinet warned that threat actors are exploiting a new zero-day vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-24472 (CVSS score of 8.1), in FortiOS and FortiProxy to hijack Fortinet firewalls.
The vulnerability is an authentication bypass issue that could allow a remote attacker to gain super-admin privileges by making maliciously crafted CSF proxy requests.
“An Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy 7.2.0 through 7.2.12, 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 may allow a remote attacker to gain super-admin privileges via crafted CSF proxy requests.” reads the advisory.
The vulnerability impacts FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.16, FortiProxy 7.0.0 through 7.0.19, and FortiProxy 7.2.0 through 7.2.12. Fortinet fixed it in FortiOS 7.0.17 or above and FortiProxy 7.0.20/7.2.13 or above.
Fortinet added this vulnerability to an advisory related to the vulnerability CVE-2024-55591 disclosed in January. The flaw CVE-2024-55591 is an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS version 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy version 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.12. The flaw could allow a remote attacker to gain super-admin privileges via crafted requests to Node.js websocket module.
“An Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS and FortiProxy may allow a remote attacker to gain super-admin privileges via crafted requests to Node.js websocket module or via crafted CSF proxy requests.” reads the advisory. “Please note that reports show this is being exploited in the wild.”
Threat actors exploit the flaws to create rogue admin or local users, modify firewall policies, and access SSL VPNs to gain access to internal networks.
Fortinet also provides temporary mitigation for this issue, the company recommends disabling the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface or limiting the IP addresses that can reach it via local-in policies.
Arctic Wolf researchers recently observed attacks on Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, involving unauthorized logins, account creation, and config changes.
Arctic Wolf states that the present campaign can spit in 4 distinct phases:
- Vulnerability scanning (November 16, 2024 to November 23, 2024)
- Reconnaissance (November 22, 2024 to November 27, 2024)
- SSL VPN configuration (December 4, 2024 to December 7, 2024)
- Lateral Movement (December 16, 2024 to December 27, 2024)
The company speculates that threat actors likely exploited a zero-day flaw in the targeted systems.
“In early December, Arctic Wolf Labs began observing a campaign involving suspicious activity on Fortinet FortiGate firewall devices. By gaining access to management interfaces on affected firewalls, threat actors were able to alter firewall configurations. In compromised environments, threat actors were observed extracting credentials using DCSync.” states Arctic Wolf. “While the initial access vector used in this campaign is not yet confirmed, Arctic Wolf Labs assesses with high confidence that mass exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability is likely given the compressed timeline across affected organizations as well as firmware versions affected.”
Arctic Wolf Labs reported the campaign to Fortinet on Dec 12, 2024, and FortiGuard Labs confirmed awareness and investigation on December 17, 2024.
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Pierluigi Paganini(SecurityAffairs –hacking, Fortinet)
Text extracted automatically; images, tables and formatting may be missing. Original: https://securityaffairs.com/174117/hacking/fortinet-fortios-zero-day-exploited.html