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SECURITY

Analysis: Fortinet warns of 5-year-old FortiOS 2FA bypass still exploited in attacks

👤 By Connect Quest Analyst via Connect Quest Artist
📅 29-12-2025 18:28
✅ Analytical - Independent Analysis
⏱️ 3 min read
Analysis: Fortinet warns of 5-year-old FortiOS 2FA bypass still exploited in attacks Image: Stock - Vulnerability
Persisting Threat: 5-Year-Old FortiOS Vulnerability Continues to Pose Risks

Persisting Threat: 5-Year-Old FortiOS Vulnerability Continues to Pose Risks

In a concerning development, Fortinet has warned its customers about the ongoing exploitation of a five-year-old vulnerability in FortiOS, which allows attackers to bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) when targeting vulnerable FortiGate firewalls. This issue, known as CVE-2020-12812, was first identified in July 2020.

Understanding the Vulnerability

The vulnerability resides in FortiGate SSL VPN and enables attackers to log in to unpatched firewalls without being prompted for the second factor of authentication (FortiToken) when changing the case of the username. This occurs when two-factor authentication is enabled in the 'user local' setting, and the user authentication type is set to a remote authentication method, such as LDAP.

Impact on the Northeast Region and India

The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond individual organizations to the broader digital landscape in India and the Northeast region. Cybersecurity breaches can lead to data loss, financial theft, and reputational damage, underscoring the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to protect critical infrastructure.

Current State of Exploitation

Last week, Fortinet warned its customers that attackers are still exploiting CVE-2020-12812 in the wild, primarily targeting firewalls with LDAP enabled. To be vulnerable to these ongoing attacks, organizations must have local user entries on the FortiGate that require 2FA and are linked to LDAP. Additionally, these users must belong to an LDAP group, which must also be configured on the FortiGate.

Potential Mitigation Strategies

Fortinet has suggested several measures to avoid the 2FA bypass issue, including deploying the security update, turning off username-case-sensitivity, or removing the secondary LDAP Group if no LDAP groups are used at all.

Historical Context and Implications

In April 2021, the FBI and CISA warned that state-backed hackers were attacking Fortinet FortiOS instances using exploits targeting multiple vulnerabilities, including one abusing CVE-2020-12812 to bypass 2FA. Seven months later, in November 2021, CISA added CVE-2020-12812 to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities, tagging it as exploited in ransomware attacks and ordering federal agencies to secure their systems by May 2022.

Broader Implications for Cybersecurity

This persistent exploitation of a five-year-old vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates, strong configuration management, and user education. It also highlights the need for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity as a critical aspect of their overall business strategy.

Looking Forward

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too will the threats faced by organizations. It is essential for businesses to stay vigilant, stay informed, and take proactive measures to protect their assets. In the case of Fortinet users, this means ensuring that their systems are up-to-date and configured securely to minimize the risk of exploitation.

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security analysis northeast original

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Content Manager: Connect Quest Analyst | Written by: Connect Quest Artist