CVE-2023-42788Public exploit

Root code execution via tar option injection

Published Oct 10, 2023 · Updated Dec 16, 2025

OS command injection in affected Fortinet FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer releases allows local users to execute unauthorized code through CLI arguments. The diagnose system export umlog and fmwslog commands pass an attacker-controlled archive filename to tar, allowing --checkpoint-action to launch a root shell. The published exploit requires CLI access with the System Settings privilege and yields commands running as root.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.32%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in affected Fortinet FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer releases allows local users to execute unauthorized code through CLI arguments. The diagnose system export umlog and fmwslog commands pass an attacker-controlled archive filename to tar, allowing --checkpoint-action to launch a root shell. The published exploit requires CLI access with the System Settings privilege and yields commands running as root.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42788
Published
Oct 10, 2023
Updated
Dec 16, 2025
Vendor
Fortinet
Product
FortiManager
Classifications
CWE-78, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 10, 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=6.2.0 <=6.2.11
  2. Affected versionversion=6.4.0 <=6.4.12
  3. Affected versionversion=7.0.0 <=7.0.8
  4. Affected versionversion=7.2.0 <=7.2.3
  5. Affected versionversion=7.4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Fortinet · FortiManagerversion=6.2.0 <=6.2.11; version=6.4.0 <=6.4.12; version=7.0.0 <=7.0.8; version=7.2.0 <=7.2.3; version=7.4.0
Fortinet · FortiAnalyzerversion=6.2.0 <=6.2.11; version=6.4.0 <=6.4.12; version=7.0.0 <=7.0.8; version=7.2.0 <=7.2.3; version=7.4.0

Published CVSS scores

7.8Fortinet, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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