CVE-2022-40684

CVE-2022-40684 is a significant software vulnerability identified in Fortinet devices, specifically relating to an authentication bypass flaw. This flaw in the software design or implementation allows threat actors to exploit the vulnerability, compromising network security and providing unauthorized access to sensitive information. The issue was first noticed when cybercriminals exploited this vulnerability in October 2022, which led to severe breaches in network security. The exploitation of CVE-2022-40684 has been linked to a series of cyber attacks, primarily conducted by the Earth Lusca group. These threat actors leveraged the vulnerability for initial access into networks, often selling this access to other cybercriminals for further malicious activity. This campaign has significantly utilized this older Fortinet flaw, highlighting its ongoing potential for exploitation if left unaddressed. Alongside CVE-2022-40684, Earth Lusca also exploits several other critical vulnerabilities related to remote code execution, including CVE-2022-39952, CVE-2021-22205, CVE-2019-18935, CVE-2019-9670, and CVE-2019-9621. These vulnerabilities, when combined with the authentication bypass provided by CVE-2022-40684, pose a significant risk to network security, emphasizing the need for prompt patching and updates to mitigate these threats.