CVE-2020-9287

Local code execution via installer DLL search

Published Mar 15, 2020 · Updated Oct 25, 2024

Unsafe DLL search in affected FortiClient EMS online installers allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a planted DLL. FortiClientEMSOnlineInstaller.exe searches its own attacker-controlled directory for Filter Library DLLs and loads a matching malicious library. Exploitation requires control of the installer's directory and user interaction to run it; the planted code executes with the installer's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.60%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe DLL search in affected FortiClient EMS online installers allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a planted DLL. FortiClientEMSOnlineInstaller.exe searches its own attacker-controlled directory for Filter Library DLLs and loads a matching malicious library. Exploitation requires control of the installer's directory and user interaction to run it; the planted code executes with the installer's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9287
Published
Mar 15, 2020
Updated
Oct 25, 2024
Vendor
Fortinet
Product
FortiClient EMS
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 15, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 25, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=6.2.1 and below

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Fortinet · FortiClient EMSversion=6.2.1 and below

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.9NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.002DLL Side-Loading

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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