FortiSwitch Vulnerability: A Wake-Up Call for Network Security

Updated: Apr 24

Fortinet, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, has issued a critical advisory for its FortiSwitch product line. A newly discovered vulnerability, identified as an Unverified Password Change Vulnerability (CWE-620), could allow remote, unauthenticated attackers to modify administrative passwords via specially crafted requests.

This flaw poses a severe risk to organizations relying on FortiSwitch for secure network management, emphasizing the importance of staying proactive in addressing emerging cyber threats.

🛠️ What Makes This Vulnerability Critical?

The vulnerability affects the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of FortiSwitch and enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms. Here’s how it works:

Attackers exploit the flaw by sending malicious requests to the system.
These requests bypass proper verification processes, allowing administrative passwords to be changed.
Once exploited, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data, potentially compromising an entire network.

What makes this vulnerability particularly alarming is that it does not require prior authentication, making it an easy target for malicious actors.

⚠️ Who Is Affected?

The following FortiSwitch versions are impacted:

FortiSwitch 7.6: Versions up to 7.6.0
FortiSwitch 7.4: Versions from 7.4.0 through 7.4.4
FortiSwitch 7.2: Versions from 7.2.0 through 7.2.8
FortiSwitch 7.0: Versions from 7.0.0 through 7.0.10
FortiSwitch 6.4: Versions from 6.4.0 through 6.4.14

Fortinet has released patches for these vulnerabilities and strongly advises all users to upgrade their systems to secure versions immediately.

🔧 Temporary Mitigation Measures

For organizations unable to update their systems right away, Fortinet has provided the following workarounds to reduce the attack surface:

Disable HTTP/HTTPS Access: Restrict access to administrative interfaces by turning off HTTP/HTTPS services.
Configure Trusted Hosts: Limit connections to trusted hosts only by using the following commands:

   config system admin
   edit 
   set {trusthost1 | trusthost2 | trusthost3} 
   next
   end

These measures can help reduce the attack surface until a permanent fix is applied.

🌐 Fortinet's Commitment to Security

The vulnerability was internally discovered by Daniel Rozeboom, a member of the FortiSwitch web UI development team. Fortinet’s swift response in identifying, addressing, and releasing patches for this flaw demonstrates its commitment to customer security.

Published on April 8, 2025, this advisory serves as a reminder of the importance of regular updates and proactive security measures in safeguarding critical systems.

✅ What Should Organizations Do Now?

To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability:

Upgrade Immediately: Update to the patched versions of FortiSwitch (e.g., 7.6.1, 7.4.5, 7.2.9, 7.0.11, or 6.4.15).
Restrict Access: Disable unused administrative services and configure access only for trusted hosts.
Enhance Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring tools to detect unauthorized access attempts.
Educate Your Team: Ensure IT and security staff are aware of the risks and mitigation steps.