​Insights into Threat Actor Techniques Targeting FortiGate Devices

In cybersecurity, FortiGate devices are the guardians of numerous networks, protecting them from constant cyber threats. But just imagine a situation where the best and most influential gatekeepers are the main targets. It is well-known that hackers have learned how to bypass these substantial barriers and use them to gain unauthorized access. In this article, we will discuss how cybercriminals manage to leak through the defenses of FortiGate and how you can outcompete them before they act.

Understanding FortiGate Firewalls

Fortinet FortiGate firewalls are not simply another layer of hyperlink shield; they are your organization’s gatekeepers. As Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), FortiGate devices are used by everyone, from small businesses to large enterprises, to provide comprehensive security solutions. What makes them stand out from the crowd, apart from their flexibility, is Fortinet's protocol for handling vulnerabilities, which involves quick action and constant strengthening of their armor. Consider them as the multi-tool of security tools for a network with features such as intrusion prevention, antivirus, web filtering, and application control.

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Why Threat Actors Are Eyeing FortiGate

Due to their popularity and their critical role in the network architecture, FortiGate firewalls are attractive targets for attackers. However, let’s first find out what makes these devices so powerful and what potential weaknesses they may hide before we proceed to how the attackers use them.

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The following are the key FortiGate features that attract and defend:

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• High Performance: FortiGate firewalls are designed for high-speed performance with very low latency to support a large volume of traffic without downtime.
• Security: Some of the features include sandboxes, botnet detection, and artificial intelligence threat intelligence, making these devices ready for war.
• Management: FortiManager is used to manage all the configurations and policies for centralized management.
• Secure SD-WAN: FortiGate provides networking and security in one solution for secure connection across branches.
• Scalability: Irrespective of whether the company is protecting a solitary small office or a large global corporation, there is a FortiGate model that is suited for the purpose.

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Common Threat Actor Techniques

Not all hackers are out for the same reason or even hide their identity in the dark corners of the internet. There are a lot of different threat actors out there, ranging from mere hackers to state-sponsored ones, and all of them have their own specific approaches on how to get past defenses such as FortiGate firewalls. Getting to know the identity of these actors and how best they work is the first thing that needs to be done.

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Here are the most common culprits that attack FortiGate devices and why they are significant:

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Cybercriminals

These are the hackers of the internet; they are motivated by one thing and one thing only: money. They can exploit the unpatched FortiGate vulnerabilities or use brute force to gain access, deploy ransomware, or steal data. For them, a misconfigured firewall is a jackpot waiting to be cracked.

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Nation-State Actors

These players are strategically stealthy and are not easily discouraged since the government backs them. As such, they can use zero days or other forms of social engineering to infiltrate FortiGate-protected networks for sabotage, spying, or even war. They want to know if there is some data behind any FortiGate device.

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Hacktivists

Motivated by political or social beliefs and not for financial gains, hacktivists get involved in organizations’ affairs. They may use the vulnerabilities of FortiGate to compromise websites, steal data, or even shut down services in protest. Even though the motivations of these two vessels are pretty distinct, the results of their actions can always be quite destructive.

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Malware Developers

These are the people behind code crafting, writing complex payments capable of getting through the firewall barriers. Some create malware solely to infiltrate devices such as FortiGate and open doors for attackers in secure networks.

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Phishers

From a broader perspective, phishers utilize e-mail and pretend portals to obtain usernames and passwords or to lure the target into downloading risky software. Once inside, the criminals obtain the FortiGate credentials and have an open door to attack the system further.

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In the high-risk security scenario, FortiGate firewalls are like bodyguards protecting the most valuable area of your network. However, even the most experienced person can be tricked by a masquerade or a fake invitation. Adversaries, be they motivated by money, revenge, or nation-state, are not resting and are always improving their skills to bypass these guards. Fortunately, it is possible to make your network a fortress if you are aware of the threats, keep yourself updated, and have a good defense plan. Stay awake, patch frequently, and never forget that the best defense is a good offense.

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