SOP for Resetting Fortigate admin password

Resetting the Fortigate admin account’s password

       

The default administrator account, named admin, initially has no password.

Unlike other administrator accounts, the admin administrator account exists by default and cannot be deleted. This administrator account always has full permission to view and change all FortiRecorder configuration options, including viewing and changing all other administrator accounts. Its name and permissions cannot be changed.

‘maintainer’ account is enable by default.

The special hidden “maintainer” user login, which is used for password recovery. When enabled, the “maintainer” account can log in from the console after a hard reboot (power off, power on) using the password “bcpb” followed by the FortiGate unit serial number. eg. bcpbFG900A83901645649. You have limited time (15 to 30 seconds) to complete this login.

After changing admin password it will only take affect the admin password of the current configuration and the rest of your configuration file should be the same as before it reboot. FortiGate system configuration is automatically save the configuration after every change. By default is automatic save config.


How to reset lost admin password in Fortigate


Requirements:

The following equipment were used to test this scenario.

·         FortiGate Firewall

·         Console cable

·         Putty.exe

NOTE : This process will require the hard reboot (power off & on) of the FortiGate.


You have limited time (15-30 sec) to complete this login as user “maintainer” after the boot process. If you take too much time you have to hard reboot the device again.

While it is rebooting you can get the Serial Number from Putty. Just copy and paste it on the Notepad. Prepare username login (maintainer) and password (bcpd+SerialNumber) (eg. bcpbFG900A83901645649)  in the notepad for time saving.
Instead of typing it in just do it quickly copy & paste it from notepad. This will prevent the login from timing out.

admin Passoword Changing Procedure Steps 1 to 7

1.         Power off the FortiGate. Wait for at least 10 sec and then Power On the FortiGate.  (if power off and on very fast, there might be power trip or corrupt the system)

2.         Direct connect your Laptop to a serial console port using Putty.

3.         Wait until the Firewall name and login prompt to appears.

4.         Username login is maintainer                          

            Prepare user name and password in the notepad for time saving.

5.         Password is bcpb+SerialNumber (eg. bcpbFG900A83901645649)

Instead of typing it in just do it quickly copy & paste it from notepad that you have prepared. This will prevent the login from timing out.

6.         Press Enter to login. Now you will be connected to firewall. 

7.         Finally change the admin password. execute reboot (optional)

In a unit where vdoms (Virtual domains (VDOMs)) are not enabled:

config system admin

edit admin

set password <psswrd>

end

In a unit where vdoms are enabled:

config global

config system admin

edit admin

set password <psswrd>

end

By default FortiGate system configuration is automatically save the configuration after every change.

Enables or disables the special hidden “maintainer” user login, which is used for password recovery. Enable by default.

set admin-maintainer {enable | disable}

To clear the current admin password: Not for this scenario. Just for info.

(this is only for clear / no password for admin you need to know the old password)

config system admin

edit admin

unset password <old password>

end



Thank You.


Cheers! :)
Yan Linn Aung