ⓘ This advisory addresses a critical vulnerability impacting FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager platforms. |
Attention constituent:
CVE-2022-40684 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability impacting Fortinet’s FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager platforms. This flaw enables attackers to gain unauthorised administrative access, potentially leading to system compromise, data theft, and operational disruption. A leaked list of 15,000 vulnerable IP addresses has heightened the risk of exploitation. Immediate action is required to mitigate this threat and protect your infrastructure.
CVE: CVE-2022-40684
Severity: Critical (CVSS: 9.8)
Affected Platforms:
- FortiOS
- FortiProxy
- FortiSwitchManager
Versions impacted:
- FortiOS: Versions 7.2.0 – 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 – 7.0.6
- FortiProxy: Versions 7.2.0 – 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 – 7.0.6
Threat Overview: Attackers are actively exploiting this vulnerability to bypass authentication, gain administrative privileges, and compromise systems. Recent exposure of 15,000 vulnerable IP addresses on public platforms has amplified the risk of targeted attacks. Exploitation may result in:
- Unauthorised Administrative Access: Full control of affected devices.
- System Disruption: Disabling of critical security configurations.
- Lateral Movement: Attackers may leverage access to infiltrate other systems within your network.
- Data Breaches: Potential theft of sensitive information and creation of backdoors.
Indicators of Compromise (IoC): Organisations should immediately investigate the following signs of exploitation:
- Unauthorised Login Attempts: Check administrative logs for unusual or unexpected login activity.
- Unexpected Configuration Changes: Verify system configurations for unauthorised modifications.
- Unusual Traffic Patterns: Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, especially involving management interfaces.
Remediation |
- Patch all affected systems immediately. Fortinet has issued patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure FortiOS and FortiProxy are updated to versions 7.0.7 or 7.2.2 or higher. Visit Fortinet’s advisory (https://www.fortinet.com/blog/psirt-blogs/update-regarding-cve-2022-40684) for detailed patch instructions.
- Restrict access to management interfaces by configuring Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict access to trusted IP ranges, using VPNs for all administrative access to management interfaces, and disabling unnecessary management interfaces exposed to the internet.
- Strengthen access controls by enforcing strong password policies and regularly rotating credentials and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts.
- Conduct continuous monitoring. Deploy monitoring tools to detect anomalous login attempts or configuration changes. Use threat intelligence platforms to identify and block malicious IP addresses. Review logs daily for suspicious activity.
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Potential Impact
The critical nature of CVE-2022-40684 poses significant risks, including:
- Financial Loss: Breaches could result in fines, lawsuits, and operational downtime.
- Reputational Damage: Public trust may erode following an incident.
- Security Erosion: Compromised systems may serve as entry points for further attacks.
Failure to act swiftly could expose your organisation to these threats.
Next Steps
Organisations should:
- Confirm whether their systems are affected by reviewing configurations and logs.
- Patch vulnerable systems without delay.
- Implement stronger security measures to prevent future incidents.
Best,

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