CVE-2025-24472
Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy
An Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy 7.2.0 through 7.2.12, 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker with prior knowledge of upstream and downstream devices serial numbers to gain super-admin privileges on the downstream device, if the Security Fabric is enabled, via crafted CSF proxy requests.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 18 March 2025. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 8 April 2025. CISA records this vulnerability as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 7.2%, which is higher than 94.4% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2025-24472 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2025-24472.
What does CVE-2025-24472 affect?
CVE-2025-24472 affects Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy. An Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability [CWE-288] affecting FortiOS 7.0.0 through 7.0.16 and FortiProxy 7.2.0 through 7.2.12, 7.0.0 through 7.0.19 may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker with prior knowledge of upstream and downstream devices serial numbers to gain super-admin privileges on the downstream device, if the Security Fabric is enabled, via crafted CSF proxy requests.
How severe is CVE-2025-24472?
CVE-2025-24472 is rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 8.1. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 7.2%, higher than 94.4% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 8 April 2025.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2025-24472?
Apply the vendor patch for Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.