Fortinet FortiOS/FortiSwitchManager/FortiProxy/FortiPAM Requests format string

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Fortinet FortiOS, FortiSwitchManager, FortiProxy and FortiPAM and classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component Requests Handler. Such manipulation leads to format string. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-40721. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Fortinet FortiOS, FortiSwitchManager, FortiProxy and FortiPAM (the affected version is unknown) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown code of the component Requests Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability [CWE-134] vulnerability in Fortinet allows a privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code or commands via specially crafted requests.

The advisory is available at fortiguard.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-40721 since 08/21/2023. The exploitation is known to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 216118 (Fortinet Fortigate - Format string vulnerability in CLI commands (FG-IR-23-261)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (216118). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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Vendor

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License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 6.7
VulDB Temp Score: 6.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.7
CNA Vector (fortinet): 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Format string
CWE: CWE-134 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 216118
Nessus Name: Fortinet Fortigate - Format string vulnerability in CLI commands (FG-IR-23-261)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/21/2023 🔍
02/11/2025 +540 days 🔍
02/11/2025 +0 days 🔍
01/14/2026 +337 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: fortinet.com

Advisory: FG-IR-23-261
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-40721 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-40721
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-295250

Entryinfo

Created: 02/11/2025 17:46
Updated: 01/14/2026 18:39
Changes: 02/11/2025 17:46 (64), 02/12/2025 06:07 (2), 07/24/2025 23:54 (1), 01/14/2026 18:39 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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