FortiOS: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2026-121528 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in FortiOS from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected FortiOS versions: 7.6.0 through 7.6.4; 7.4.0 through 7.4.9; 7.2.0 through 7.2.13, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.24% 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
- Check which version of FortiOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on fortiguard.fortinet.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortinet | FortiOS | 7.6.0 through 7.6.4; 7.4.0 through 7.4.9; 7.2.0 through 7.2.13; 7.0.0 through 7.0.19; 6.4.0 through 6.4.16 | Not stated |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- 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:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (fortinet.com).
Official description
A improper certificate validation vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.6.0 through 7.6.4, FortiOS 7.4.0 through 7.4.9, FortiOS 7.2.0 through 7.2.13, FortiOS 7.0 all versions, FortiOS 6.4 all versions may allow a remote and unauthenticated attacker to perform a Man-in-the-Middle attack on the communication channel between the SSLVPN web portal and the backend destination website.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
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 FortiOS
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.9 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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