SOCFortress Integrations — Vulnerability Assessment for network devices (I) — FortiGate Firewalls

SOCFortress Integrations — Vulnerability Assessment for network devices (I) — FortiGate Firewalls

Intro

Firewalls and other security appliances are critical trust anchors and and high-value targets for attackers. In many cases, firewalls are the first line of defense, controlling and inspecting traffic at network boundaries.

A vulnerability in the running firmware/OS on network firewalls could provide an attacker a foothold to:

• Bypass security controls.
• Exfiltrate sensitive data.
• Pivot into internal networks.

Common patterns found in the past across these exploits included:

• Attackers scan en masse for exposed management interfaces and unpatched VPN portals.
• Network devices, when unpatched, provided attackers direct, privileged access.
• Breaches were often not due to novel zero-days — but due to delayed patching of known CVEs.

Periodic assessments ensure continuous risk visibility

Network devices are not static assets, rather subject to firmware updates, configuration changes, and emerging threats continually alter their risk profile.

Periodic vulnerability assessments (e.g., quarterly or aligned with patch cycles) provide:

• Early identification of known CVEs relevant to the specific firmware version
• Assurance that previously mitigated risks have not resurfaced
• Validation of patch and configuration management effectiveness

Periodic assessments also support operational resilience, ensuring business continuity by:

• Reducing exposure windows between vulnerability disclosure and remediation
• Detecting unintentional gaps (e.g., missed updates, rollback to vulnerable versions)
• Enabling proactive incident response readiness

Finally, continuous vulnerability assessment of network devices is covered in many security frameworks and security controls:

NIST SP 800–53 (Rev. 5) — System and Communications Protection (SC) and System and Information Integrity (SI) families:

• SI-2 (Flaw Remediation) → Requires timely identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities.
• SI-5 (Security Alerts, Advisories, and Directives) → Mandates monitoring and addressing security advisories.
• CA-7 (Continuous Monitoring) → Recommends ongoing assessment of system security posture.

NIST SP 800–115 (Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment):

• Recommends regular vulnerability scanning as part of a broader security testing program.
• Emphasizes tailoring assessments to critical assets (such as perimeter defenses like firewalls).

CIS Benchmarks & Controls (V8):

• Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management — calls for periodic scanning and prompt remediation.
• Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense — stresses the protection of network boundary devices.

EPSS enrichment: Prioritize what matters most

The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) helps you move beyond a raw CVE list to identify vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited in the wild. Additionally, it allows Network Security teams to prioritize remediation actions where they will have the greatest impact on reducing risk

This aligns with risk-based vulnerability management, a recommended practice in NIST CSF (Identify → Risk Assessment).

Periodic vulnerability assessments of network firewalls enriched with EPSS are essential for protecting the organization’s network perimeter, aligning with best practices, and ensuring that limited security resources are applied where they matter most.

Vulnerability Scan For Network Devices — Architecture

Components:

• Scanner to collect network device(s) firmware / OS.
• Collection methods: SNMP (RO community) / RestAPI (when supported by firewall vendor).
• Access to NIST CVD (API) providing device’s CPE as input.
• Access to EPSS (API) to determine exploitation score (likelihood) for CVEs reported by NIST CVD.

Report available in your visualization tool:

CVEs found:

Firewalls scanned:

CVE IDs:

EPSS:

CVEs — Descriptions and list of all affected products:

Annex: Notable FortiGate Vulnerabilities Exploited in Real Attacks

CVE-2023–27997 — “XORtigate” / “Volt Typhoon” Exploitation

Vulnerability: Heap-based buffer overflow in FortiOS SSL-VPN. Allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted requests. Exploited by APT groups (including Volt Typhoon) for initial access, used to deploy custom malware, establish persistent VPN tunnels, and pivot inside victim networks.

CVE-2018–13379 — SSL VPN Path Traversal

Vulnerability: Path traversal in FortiOS SSL-VPN web interface. Allows unauthenticated attackers to download sensitive files, including plaintext VPN credentials (session files).

CVE-2022–40684 — Authentication Bypass via HTTP/HTTPS

Vulnerability: Improper authentication validation on admin interface. Remote attackers can log in as administrator without credentials. Fortinet confirmed active exploitation shortly after disclosure.

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