Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW): Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
CVE-2026-12974 is a high-severity permissive list of allowed inputs vulnerability in Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW) from Forcepoint, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.9 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW) versions: 7.1.0 through 7.1.13; 7.3.0 through 7.3.1; 7.3.3, 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 0.45% 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 Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW) you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on support.forcepoint.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forcepoint | Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW) | 7.1.0 through 7.1.13; 7.3.0 through 7.3.1; 7.3.3; 7.4.0 through 7.4.1; 7.5.0 | 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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- HighSerious loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:A/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (forcepoint.com).
Official description
A Security Policy Bypass vulnerability exists in Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW). This issue affects Forcepoint Security Engine (NGFW): from 7.1.0 through 7.1.13, from 7.3.0 through 7.3.1, 7.3.3, from 7.4.0 through 7.4.1, and 7.5.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
The product implements a protection mechanism that relies on a list of inputs (or properties of inputs) that are explicitly allowed by policy because the inputs are assumed to be safe, but the list is too permissive - that is, it allows an input that is unsafe, leading to resultant weaknesses.
More Permissive List of Allowed Inputs vulnerabilities (CWE-183)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
References
Recent Permissive List of Allowed Inputs vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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