CVE-2026-59839 in FortiOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
A improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.6.0 through 7.6.6, FortiOS 7.4.0 through 7.4.9, FortiOS 7.2 all versions, FortiOS 7.0 all versions, FortiOS 6.4 all versions, FortiPAM 1.8.0, FortiPAM 1.7.0 through 1.7.2, FortiPAM 1.6 all versions, FortiPAM 1.5 all versions, FortiPAM 1.4 all versions, FortiPAM 1.3 all versions, FortiPAM 1.2 all versions, FortiPAM 1.1 all versions, FortiPAM 1.0 all versions, FortiProxy 7.6.0 through 7.6.5, FortiProxy 7.4 through 7.4.13, FortiProxy 7.2 all versions, FortiProxy 7.0 all versions may allow attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via <insert attack vector here>
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw that affects multiple Fortinet security products including FortiOS, FortiPAM, and FortiProxy across numerous version ranges. The issue stems from improper validation of file paths during file operations, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences and access restricted filesystem locations beyond the intended scope. This weakness enables unauthorized code execution and command injection attacks through specially crafted input that bypasses normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes a fundamental flaw in how these security appliances handle file path resolution and validation. When processing user-supplied input containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the affected systems fail to properly sanitize or validate these paths before performing file operations. This allows attackers to navigate outside of intended directories and potentially execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core system functionality that handles file operations, configuration management, and user access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and potential exploitation scenarios. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files, modify configuration parameters, execute malicious code, or even escalate privileges within the affected appliances. The widespread nature of the vulnerability across various Fortinet product lines means that organizations using any of these versions face significant risk exposure. Network administrators may be unable to prevent exploitation through traditional network segmentation or access controls, as the vulnerability exists at the application layer processing logic.
Mitigation strategies for this path traversal vulnerability should include immediate deployment of vendor security patches and firmware updates where available. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit access to affected appliances and monitor for suspicious file operations or command execution attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied data, disabling unnecessary file operations, and configuring proper access controls with least privilege principles. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual path traversal patterns and unauthorized system modifications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution through system interfaces.
The severity of this issue is amplified by the fact that these security appliances typically operate in privileged network positions where successful exploitation could provide attackers with deep access to corporate networks. The vulnerability affects both management interfaces and operational processing functions, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers seeking to compromise network security. Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments across their entire Fortinet infrastructure inventory to identify all affected devices and implement layered defense measures while awaiting official patches from Fortinet.