CVE-2023-42789
Published: 12 March 2024
Summary
CVE-2023-42789 is a critical-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Fortinet Fortios. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 3.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-42789 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability, tracked under CWE-787, that affects multiple versions of Fortinet FortiOS (7.4.0 through 7.4.1, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 6.4.0 through 6.4.14, and 6.2.0 through 6.2.15) as well as FortiProxy (7.4.0, 7.2.0 through 7.2.6, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, and 2.0.0 through 2.0.13). The flaw carries a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 and permits execution of unauthorized code or commands when the affected devices process specially crafted HTTP requests.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the issue over the network without user interaction by sending malicious HTTP requests that trigger the out-of-bounds write, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the target device.
The Fortinet advisory FG-IR-23-328, referenced at fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-328, supplies official guidance on mitigation and available patches for the listed FortiOS and FortiProxy releases. The associated EPSS score has remained near its observed peak of 0.3002 with a current value of 0.2828.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-47219
Vulnerability details
A out-of-bounds write in Fortinet FortiOS 7.4.0 through 7.4.1, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 6.4.0 through 6.4.14, 6.2.0 through 6.2.15, FortiProxy 7.4.0, 7.2.0 through 7.2.6, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands…
more
via specially crafted HTTP requests.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.