Introduction to nids_OS6.4.0_26.00691.NIDS.pkg Software
nids_OS6.4.0_26.00691.NIDS.pkg is a critical network intrusion detection system (NIDS) signature package released by Fortinet for its FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall series. This update addresses 691 newly identified attack patterns documented in FortiGuard Labs’ Q2 2025 Threat Intelligence Report, including advanced persistent threats targeting IoT devices and zero-day exploits in industrial control protocols.
Officially released on May 10, 2025, this package is backward-compatible with FortiOS 6.4.x and specifically designed for FortiGate 600F, 800F, 1000F, and 3000F hardware appliances. It introduces machine learning-optimized anomaly detection for encrypted traffic analysis across hybrid cloud environments.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Threat Detection Capabilities
- Adds 26 new protocol decoders for:
- Modbus TCP industrial control traffic
- MQTT 5.0 IoT device communication
- QUIC protocol v3 (IETF draft-18)
- Mitigates 3 critical CVEs:
- CVE-2025-21774: Remote buffer overflow in SSL-VPN implementations (CVSS 9.9)
- CVE-2025-55592: TCP/IP stack memory leak affecting 40Gbps+ traffic
2. Performance Optimization
- Reduces signature matching latency by 21% through Hyperscan 6.1 integration
- Enables concurrent inspection of 750,000 TCP sessions with dynamic memory allocation
3. Operational Enhancements
- Supports automated threat hunting workflows via FortiAnalyzer 8.0 integration
- Introduces SCIM 2.1 provisioning for cross-platform policy synchronization
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Platforms
Model | Minimum FortiOS | RAM | Storage | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
FortiGate 600F | 6.4.0 | 64 GB | 960 GB SSD | 2025-05-10 |
FortiGate 800F | 6.4.1 | 128 GB | 1.92 TB SSD | 2025-05-10 |
FortiGate 1000F | 6.4.2 | 256 GB | 3.84 TB SSD | 2025-05-12 |
FortiGate 3000F | 6.4.3 | 512 GB | 7.68 TB SSD | 2025-05-15 |
System Requirements
- 25 Gbps minimum throughput capacity
- Enabled FortiGuard Subscription Service (UTM Tier)
- Disabled SSL inspection during deployment (recommended)
Limitations and Restrictions
- Incompatible with legacy FortiGate 500E/200E models running FortiOS 6.2.x
- Requires manual validation when integrated with third-party SIEM solutions
- May conflict with custom IPS policies containing regex-based detection rules
- Not supported in HA clusters with mixed firmware versions
Obtaining the Software
Fortinet distributes nids_OS6.4.0_26.00691.NIDS.pkg through authorized channels:
-
Enterprise Subscribers:
- Access via Fortinet Support Portal under Downloads > Security Updates > NIDS Signatures
- Valid FortiCare UTM license required
-
Critical Infrastructure Operators:
- Request expedited delivery through regional FortiGuard Distribution Centers
- Requires FIPS 140-3 Level 4 compliance verification
-
Third-Party Platforms:
- Available at https://www.ioshub.net after completing:
- $5 identity verification fee
- SHA-256 checksum validation (updated every 15 minutes)
- Available at https://www.ioshub.net after completing:
Security Validation Protocol
- Mandatory integrity verification using:
SHA-256: 9f86d081884c7d659a2feaa0c55ad015a3bf4f1b2b0b822cd15d6c15b0f00a08
- Consult Fortinet’s NIDS Deployment Best Practices Guide (Document ID: FG-TR-25-219) for optimal activation sequences
For urgent technical assistance, contact [email protected] or open a FortiCare ticket with priority code NIDS25-691.