CVE-2023-26205Network attack vector

Authenticated super_admin escalation via crafted automation script

Published Nov 14, 2023 · Updated Dec 16, 2025

Improper access control in Fortinet FortiADC allows remote authenticated users to gain super_admin privileges via automation CLI scripts. The automation feature accepts a crafted fabric automation CLI-script configuration from a low-privilege account without enforcing the authorization boundary required for super_admin operations. A valid low-privilege account and network access to the management service are required; successful exploitation grants full administrative control.

CVSS severity7.9
High
EPSS probability0.58%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in Fortinet FortiADC allows remote authenticated users to gain super_admin privileges via automation CLI scripts. The automation feature accepts a crafted fabric automation CLI-script configuration from a low-privilege account without enforcing the authorization boundary required for super_admin operations. A valid low-privilege account and network access to the management service are required; successful exploitation grants full administrative control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-26205
Published
Nov 14, 2023
Updated
Dec 16, 2025
Vendor
Fortinet
Product
FortiADC
Classifications
CWE-284, T1068
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 16, 2025Record 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=6.1.0 <=6.1.6
  2. Affected versionversion=6.2.0 <=6.2.6
  3. Affected versionversion=7.0.0 <=7.0.5
  4. Affected versionversion=7.1.0 <=7.1.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Fortinet · FortiADCversion=6.1.0 <=6.1.6; version=6.2.0 <=6.2.6; version=7.0.0 <=7.0.5; version=7.1.0 <=7.1.2

Published CVSS scores

7.9FortinetCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-284Improper Access Control
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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