Fortinet FortiOS up to 5.6.10/6.0.6/6.2.0 Configuration Backup hard-coded credentials

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Fortinet FortiOS up to 5.6.10/6.0.6/6.2.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Configuration Backup. This manipulation causes hard-coded credentials. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2019-6693. The attack may be initiated remotely. In addition, an exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Fortinet FortiOS up to 5.6.10/6.0.6/6.2.0 (Firewall Software). It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality of the component Configuration Backup. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a hard-coded credentials vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-798. The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key, which it uses for its own inbound authentication, outbound communication to external components, or encryption of internal data. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

Use of a hard-coded cryptographic key to cipher sensitive data in FortiOS configuration backup file may allow an attacker with access to the backup file to decipher the sensitive data, via knowledge of the hard-coded key. The aforementioned sensitive data includes users' passwords (except the administrator's password), private keys' passphrases and High Availability password (when set).

The weakness was presented 11/21/2019 as FG-IR-19-007 as confirmed security advisory (Website). The advisory is shared at fortiguard.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2019-6693 since 01/23/2019. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. A single authentication is required for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1110.001 for this issue.

It is declared as attacked. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 209820 (Fortinet Fortigate (FG-IR-19-007)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 06/25/2025 with a due date of 07/16/2025:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (209820). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Firewall Software

Vendor

• Fortinet

Name

• FortiOS

Version

• 5.6.0
• 5.6.1
• 5.6.2
• 5.6.3
• 5.6.4
• 5.6.5
• 5.6.6
• 5.6.7
• 5.6.8
• 5.6.9
• 5.6.10
• 6.0
• 6.0.0
• 6.0.1
• 6.0.2
• 6.0.3
• 6.0.4
• 6.0.5
• 6.0.6
• 6.1
• 6.2.0

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.fortinet.com/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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