CVE-2016-8491

The presence of a hardcoded account named 'core' in Fortinet FortiWLC allows attackers to gain unauthorized read/write access via a remote shell

published February 1, 2017

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
74.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ There’s a hardcoded account named 'core' in Fortinet FortiWLC that could let mischief-makers waltz right in! Think of it as a hidden VIP entrance at a concert that nobody thought to lock – anyone who knows about it can waltz in without a ticket! With unauthorized read/write access, an attacker could potentially manipulate settings or access sensitive data, putting the entire network at risk. This could lead to data leaks or service disruptions, which would be absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it as a hidden VIP entrance at a concert that nobody thought to lock – anyone who knows about it can waltz in without a ticket! This vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access through the hardcoded 'core' account, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms entirely.

What to do

With unauthorized read/write access, an attacker could potentially manipulate settings or access sensitive data, putting the entire network at risk. This could lead to data leaks or service disruptions, which would be absolutely devastating! To secure your systems, check Fortinet’s documentation for any recommendations, and ensure you upgrade to the latest firmware version. It's crucial to review your user accounts and disable any hardcoded credentials that could be exploited! You've got this! Stay vigilant and follow these steps to keep your network safe! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01516 · 74.2th percentile
Published
2017-02-01T17:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 01 FEB 17:00Z
    The presence of a hardcoded account named 'core' in Fortinet FortiWLC allows attackers to gain unauthorized read/write access via a remote shell
    cvelistv5