CVE-2023-45588

Local code execution via unvalidated temporary configuration

Published Mar 14, 2025 · Updated Mar 14, 2025

External path control in FortiClient for macOS 7.0.6 through 7.0.10 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.3 allows local users to execute code. The installer accepts a configuration file placed in /tmp without validating its path or trust boundary and processes attacker-controlled content. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access and a user to start installation, after which code runs beyond the attacker's original privilege boundary.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

External path control in FortiClient for macOS 7.0.6 through 7.0.10 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.3 allows local users to execute code. The installer accepts a configuration file placed in /tmp without validating its path or trust boundary and processes attacker-controlled content. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access and a user to start installation, after which code runs beyond the attacker's original privilege boundary.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-45588
Published
Mar 14, 2025
Updated
Mar 14, 2025
Vendor
Fortinet
Product
FortiClient for macOS
Classifications
CWE-73, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 14, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 14, 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=7.0.6 <=7.0.10
  2. Affected versionversion=7.2.0 <=7.2.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Fortinet · FortiClient for macOSversion=7.0.6 <=7.0.10; version=7.2.0 <=7.2.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.2FortinetCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/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.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-73External Control of File Name or Path
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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