Fortinet Flaw Fiasco: Hackers Bypass 2FA with a Simple Case Change!

Hot Take:

Looks like the FortiOS vulnerability has made a comeback tour! This five-year-old security flaw is like that one ex you thought you were done with, only to find them popping back into your life at the most inconvenient time. Just when we thought we could put this relic in the past, hackers have decided to take it for another spin. Maybe it’s time to finally show this old ghost the door for good!

Key Points:

• Fortinet warns of ongoing attacks exploiting the five-year-old CVE-2020-12812 vulnerability.
• The flaw allows bypassing 2FA by exploiting case sensitivity differences between FortiGate and LDAP Directory.
• Attackers can manipulate username case to avoid 2FA requests when specific configurations are present.
• FortiOS versions 6.0.10, 6.2.4, 6.4.1 include mitigations to prevent this exploit.
• Fortinet advises updating systems and removing unnecessary LDAP groups to strengthen security.

Who Needs a Time Machine When You Have FortiOS?

Back from the dead like a Halloween horror flick, the FortiOS vulnerability CVE-2020-12812 is once again haunting our networks. Initially discovered in 2020, this flaw has made a dramatic re-entry into the cyber threat scene, proving that not even security vulnerabilities can resist a good comeback story. Due to case sensitivity differences between FortiGate and LDAP Directory, attackers can bypass two-factor authentication by simply changing the username’s case. It’s as if hackers decided to play a game of “Guess Who?” with our cybersecurity defenses.

Case-Sensitive Drama Unfolds

For those living the FortiOS drama, the plot thickens with a little-known twist involving case sensitivity. FortiGate, the moody artist that it is, treats usernames as case-sensitive. In contrast, LDAP Directory couldn’t care less about case distinctions. This mismatch is the perfect fodder for attackers who want to slip past 2FA like a ninja in the night. By altering the case of a username, the FortiGate appliance doesn’t demand the 2FA FortiToken, opening up a whole new world of opportunities for cyber culprits. Who knew that cases could cause such a case of the security blues?

DIY Hacker Guide: Bypassing 2FA

In a plot twist that would make hackers giddy, exploiting this vulnerability is almost like following a simple recipe. All it takes is a specific configuration: local user entries on the FortiGate with 2FA, LDAP groups, and a dash of case manipulation magic. Voilà, the second factor of authentication goes poof! But beware, organizations that fall victim to this trickery will need to treat their system configuration as compromised, reset credentials, and possibly re-evaluate all their life choices (okay, maybe not all, but definitely their cybersecurity ones).

Patch It Like It’s 2020

Thankfully, Fortinet has not left us entirely defenseless. They’ve introduced mitigations in FortiOS versions 6.0.10, 6.2.4, and 6.4.1 to prevent exploitation. By disabling username sensitivity, FortiGate will treat all possible case variations as identical, effectively putting a stop to this case manipulation madness. For those still living in the past with older versions, it’s high time for an upgrade. Think of it as a cybersecurity glow-up; your network will thank you later.

Cleaning Up the LDAP Mess

As an added measure, Fortinet recommends tidying up your LDAP group configurations. If a secondary LDAP Group is lingering around like an unwanted party guest, it’s time to show it the door unless absolutely necessary. Removing this secondary group can help prevent the vulnerability from being triggered, ensuring your network remains as bulletproof as possible. Remember, in the world of cybersecurity, less is often more—especially when it comes to potential entry points for attackers.

So, while the ghost of vulnerabilities past may be rearing its ugly head, with the right measures, we can send it packing once and for all. Until the next cyber threat comes knocking, stay vigilant and keep those updates rolling!