Critical SQL Injection Vulnerability in FortiWeb: Immediate Update Required
A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Fortinet's FortiWeb, potentially allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary database commands. This flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-25257, has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.6, indicating its high severity. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, commonly known as SQL Injection. It affects multiple versions of FortiWeb, specifically versions 7.6.0 through 7.6.3, 7.4.0 through 7.4.7, 7.2.0 through 7.2.10, and 7.0.0 through 7.0.10.
The vulnerability is rooted in the "get_fabric_user_by_token" function within the Fabric Connector component, which interfaces between FortiWeb and other Fortinet products. This function is invoked by the "fabric_access_check" function across several API endpoints, where attacker-controlled input can be passed directly to an SQL database query without proper sanitization. This flaw could be exploited to achieve remote code execution by embedding malicious payloads into the system.
Fortinet has released patches to address this vulnerability, and users are strongly urged to upgrade to the latest versions: 7.6.4 or above for version 7.6.x, 7.4.8 or above for version 7.4.x, 7.2.11 or above for version 7.2.x, and 7.0.11 or above for version 7.0.x. As a temporary measure, disabling the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface is advised until updates can be applied.
Threats and Vulnerabilities
The identified vulnerability in FortiWeb allows for SQL Injection attacks due to inadequate input sanitization in the "get_fabric_user_by_token" function. This flaw can be exploited by sending specially crafted HTTP requests with a Bearer token Authorization header, leading to unauthorized SQL code execution. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and remote code execution by writing malicious payloads to the system.
The vulnerability primarily affects organizations using FortiWeb versions 7.6.0 through 7.6.3, 7.4.0 through 7.4.7, 7.2.0 through 7.2.10, and 7.0.0 through 7.0.10. Exploitation of this flaw could result in significant operational disruptions and data breaches, particularly for industries relying heavily on Fortinet's security solutions.
Client Impact
Clients using affected versions of FortiWeb may face severe operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited, potentially leading to unauthorized access to critical systems and data breaches. The financial consequences could be substantial due to potential data loss and the costs associated with incident response and remediation efforts.
From a compliance perspective, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in regulatory challenges, especially for industries subject to stringent data protection laws such as GDPR or HIPAA. Organizations may face audits or penalties if they fail to address this security flaw promptly.
Mitigations
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, clients are advised to take the following actions:
- Upgrade FortiWeb to the latest patched versions: 7.6.4 or above for version 7.6.x, 7.4.8 or above for version 7.4.x, 7.2.11 or above for version 7.2.x, and 7.0.11 or above for version 7.0.x.
- Temporarily disable the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface until patches are applied to reduce exposure.
- Implement network segmentation to limit access to critical systems and reduce the attack surface.
- Regularly review and update access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
- Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.
By taking these steps, organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure and enhance their overall security posture against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
1898 & Co. Response
1898 & Co. is actively addressing the current threat landscape by offering specialized services designed to mitigate emerging threats like the FortiWeb vulnerability. Our team provides tailored security assessments and patch management solutions to ensure clients are protected against known vulnerabilities.
We have updated our security protocols to incorporate the latest threat intelligence and are collaborating with industry allies to share insights and strategies for effective mitigation of such vulnerabilities.
Our ongoing research efforts focus on identifying new threats and developing innovative solutions to enhance our clients' cybersecurity defenses. We encourage clients to engage with our experts for comprehensive support in implementing recommended security measures.