FortiClientWindows: Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
CVE-2025-47761 is a high-severity exposed IOCTL with insufficient access control vulnerability in FortiClientWindows from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected FortiClientWindows versions: 7.4.0 through 7.4.3; 7.2.0 through 7.2.9. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Forticlient to 7.2.10 or 7.4.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on fortiguard.fortinet.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortinet | FortiClientWindows | 7.4.0 through 7.4.3; 7.2.0 through 7.2.9 | Not stated |
| Fortinet | Forticlient | 7.2.0 up to, but not including, 7.2.10; 7.4.0 up to, but not including, 7.4.4 | 7.2.10, 7.4.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (fortinet.com).
Official description
An Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control vulnerability [CWE-782] vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientWindows 7.4.0 through 7.4.3, FortiClientWindows 7.2.0 through 7.2.9 may allow an authenticated local user to execute unauthorized code via fortips driver. Success of the attack would require bypassing the Windows memory protections such as Heap integrity and HSP. In addition, it requires a valid and running VPN IPSec connection.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
The product implements an IOCTL with functionality that should be restricted, but it does not properly enforce access control for the IOCTL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- In Windows environments, use proper access control for the associated device or device namespace. See References.
More Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control vulnerabilities (CWE-782)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in FortiClientWindows
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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