CVE-2023-28001Network attack vector

Command execution via retained deleted-user session

Published Jul 11, 2023 · Updated Oct 22, 2024

Insufficient session expiration in Fortinet FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.12 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.4 allows attackers to run commands. FortiOS leaves an established REST API WebSocket session usable after its API administrator account is deleted, so requests retain the deleted account's permissions. Exploitation requires control of that already-established session; an old token or credential cannot open a new session after account deletion or token regeneration.

CVSS severity4.1
Medium
EPSS probability0.51%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Insufficient session expiration in Fortinet FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.12 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.4 allows attackers to run commands. FortiOS leaves an established REST API WebSocket session usable after its API administrator account is deleted, so requests retain the deleted account's permissions. Exploitation requires control of that already-established session; an old token or credential cannot open a new session after account deletion or token regeneration.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28001
Published
Jul 11, 2023
Updated
Oct 22, 2024
Vendor
Fortinet
Product
FortiOS
Classifications
CWE-613
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 11, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 22, 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=7.0.0 <=7.0.12
  2. Affected versionversion=7.2.0 <=7.2.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Fortinet · FortiOSversion=7.0.0 <=7.0.12; version=7.2.0 <=7.2.4

Published CVSS scores

4.1Fortinet, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-613Insufficient Session Expiration

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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