S4E

FortiWeb Path Traversal Scanner

Detects 'Path Traversal' vulnerability in FortiWeb.

Short Info


Level

Critical

Single Scan

Single Scan

Can be used by

Asset Owner

Estimated Time

10 seconds

Time Interval

8 days 9 hours

Scan only one

Domain, Subdomain, IPv4

Toolbox

FortiWeb is a web application firewall that provides protection against various web application attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and denial of service. Managed by network administrators and security professionals, it is deployed to defend web applications from known and unknown threats. FortiWeb offers features like threat detection, traffic management, and compliance reporting. It is commonly used in enterprise environments and by organizations that require robust web application security measures. The product assists businesses in ensuring secure transactions and safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access.

The path traversal vulnerability detected in FortiWeb allows attackers to bypass authentication by exploiting specific paths within the system. By crafting malicious requests, unauthorized users can gain access to restricted areas or privileges. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized account creation, including administrative accounts, by manipulating file paths to execute unintended actions. The exploitation risk level is considered critical, necessitating immediate attention and remediation. Such vulnerabilities often result from improper validation of user input, where specified pathways are not adequately secured against malicious abuses.

Technically, the path traversal vulnerability in FortiWeb occurs when unauthorized paths are traversed to access sensitive directories. This generally involves the manipulation of directory parameters to access files outside the intended domain, leading to possible unauthorized account activities. The vulnerability can be exploited via specifically crafted HTTP requests exploiting weak path validation mechanisms. Attackers can introduce paths including "../" sequences to climb out of restricted directories. The vulnerable endpoint accepts such manipulated inputs without sufficient checks, making it possible to bypass authentication features intended to secure administrative actions.

If exploited, this path traversal vulnerability may allow unauthorized, potentially malicious parties to establish administrative-level accounts on affected FortiWeb installations. The compromise could lead to full control over the web application firewall, enabling further exploitation or disruption of protected applications. Possible effects include unauthorized data access, configuration changes, and potential system damage. The successful exploitation could lead to significant data breaches and undermine the protective role FortiWeb plays in network security frameworks.

REFERENCES

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