Fortinet has issued a warning about recent cyberattacks leveraging an old yet dangerous vulnerability, CVE-2020-12812, in its FortiOS system. The flaw, initially identified in 2020, is enabling adversaries to bypass the two-factor authentication (2FA) security measure, critically compromising systems that depend on Fortinet’s virtual private network (VPN) software for secure communications.
Details of CVE-2020-12812 and Current Threat Landscape
CVE-2020-12812 affects FortiOS, a key component of Fortinet’s suite of network security solutions. It is specifically problematic because it allows unauthorized users to bypass two-factor authentication during an SSL VPN login. This kind of exploitation is problematic because 2FA is typically implemented to add a layer of security that requires a secondary verification step beyond just a username and password.
Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can slip past the additional security precautions, paving the way for unauthorized access to sensitive networks. The ability to bypass 2FA drastically undermines an organization’s security posture, potentially jeopardizing sensitive corporate data stored on compromised networks.
Impact and Risks of Exploitation
The renewed focus on this vulnerability underscores the dangerous potential it holds for organizations that have not yet patched their systems. Threat actors gaining unauthorized entry not only facilitate data breaches but can also exert control over compromised systems, ranging from exfiltrating sensitive data to launching further malicious operations.
- Unauthorized Network Entry : Attackers can enter secure networks without 2FA, leveraging credentials for free access.
- Increased Data Breach Likelihood : With unauthorized access, attackers can more easily extract and manipulate sensitive data.
- Network Integrity Compromise : Achieving unauthorized network access may enable attackers to install malware or insert other security threats that could further degrade system performance or data integrity.
Fortinet’s Guidance for Mitigation
In response to the recent exploits of CVE-2020-12812, Fortinet has outlined crucial steps for system administrators to protect their environments. The security advisory emphasizes the importance of deploying necessary updates and configurations to mitigate risks effectively:
- Timely Updates : Organizations must apply the latest firmware updates provided by Fortinet to resolve the vulnerability.
- Enhanced Authentication Protocols : System administrators should verify and possibly reconfigure their 2FA setups to defend against potential exploitations.
- Vigilant Network Monitoring : Employ security monitoring tools to identify unusual activities quickly, allowing for instant response to potential intrusions.
Immediate Action Recommendation
Fortinet underscores that swift and comprehensive action is critical. Organizations using FortiOS should immediately address this vulnerability by applying the recommended patches and reassessing their security architectures to prevent unauthorized access. Ensuring integration of the latest software patches enables an improved security posture, helping to shield sensitive data from threat actors exploiting this known vulnerability.
Fortinet’s concerted focus on rectifying CVE-2020-12812 is designed to preclude the potentially damaging fallout that could ensue if left unchecked. Securing digital assets against this vulnerability is a pivotal component of maintaining an organization’s broader cybersecurity defenses, reflecting the necessity for ongoing diligence in addressing existing security gaps.
