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Fortinet disclosed and patched CVE-2023-25610 in March 2023. The buffer-underflow flaw affected the FortiOS and FortiProxy administrative interfaces; crafted requests could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute code or cause a denial of service. The version thresholds reported at the time are historical—not a safe upgrade target for a FortiGate or FortiProxy in 2026.
What was CVE-2023-25610?
CVE-2023-25610 was a buffer underflow in the administrative interface of FortiOS and FortiProxy. SecurityWeek reported that a remote attacker did not need to authenticate to send crafted requests that could result in code execution or denial of service through the GUI. CERT-EU’s advisory index records Fortinet’s March 7, 2023 disclosure and a CVSS score of 9.3. SecurityWeek’s March 9, 2023 report and CERT-EU’s advisory index describe the issue.
Which versions were affected and fixed in 2023?
The following ranges and fixes were reported in 2023. They document the original remediation; they do not indicate which releases Fortinet supports now or what to install in 2026.
FortiOS
| Affected release range reported in 2023 | Historical fixed threshold reported in 2023 |
|---|---|
| 7.2.0 through 7.2.3 | 7.2.4 or later |
| 7.0.0 through 7.0.9 | 7.0.10 or later |
| 6.4.0 through 6.4.11 | 6.4.12 or later |
| 6.2.0 through 6.2.12 | 6.2.13 or later |
| All 6.0 releases | 7.4.0 or later was also listed as a fixed release; the report did not specify a 6.0 fix threshold |
FortiProxy
| Affected release range reported in 2023 | Historical fixed threshold reported in 2023 |
|---|---|
| 7.2.0 through 7.2.2 | 7.2.3 or later |
| 7.0.0 through 7.0.8 | 7.0.9 or later |
| 2.0.0 through 2.0.11 | 2.0.12 or later |
| All 1.2 and 1.1 versions | Not stated in the 2023 report |
These version ranges and fixes were reported by SecurityWeek. Confirm current vulnerability and upgrade guidance in Fortinet’s PSIRT advisory for the exact product and release before making a change.
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- Seamless integration with FortiSwitch and FortiAP for a unified, secure wired and wireless network
Could an attacker exploit it without authentication?
Yes. The 2023 reporting described the flaw as remotely exploitable without authentication when an attacker could reach the administrative interface. SecurityWeek also reported that roughly 50 FortiGate and FortiWiFi models were limited to denial-of-service impact rather than code execution. That model-specific exception does not mean the interface was harmless or that other models had the same limitation. SecurityWeek
At disclosure, Fortinet was reported as saying it was not aware of exploitation in the wild. That statement reflects the status reported in March 2023; it does not establish whether exploitation occurred later. SecurityWeek; CERT-EU
Rank #2
- Compact and Efficient Design: The FortiGate 40F is designed for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices, featuring a compact, fanless desktop form factor that ensures quiet operation and minimizes space usage.
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What workaround was reported?
The reported mitigations were to disable HTTP and HTTPS access to the administrative interface, or restrict access to trusted IP addresses. These reduce exposure while an administrator arranges remediation; they are not substitutes for installing an appropriate fixed release. The exact configuration path depends on the product and version, so use the relevant Fortinet documentation rather than applying a generic setting blindly. SecurityWeek
What should you upgrade to now?
The 2023 thresholds above are not a 2026 recommendation. A release that fixed CVE-2023-25610 may no longer be supported or may lack later security fixes, and the correct upgrade path depends on the appliance and its installed branch. This article does not establish a current target version.
Rank #3
- Built on a purposed-built secure processor, this compact network firewall delivers the highest level of security performance and energy efficiency in its class – 2.5 Gbps IPS throughput | 1.3 Gbps threat protection | 1.4 Gbps SSL Inspection throughput.
- User-friendly management console gives you centralized visibility and simplifies policy enforcement across your network. Its zero-touch deployment helps you optimize your onboarding experience.
- Compact design equipped with 10 x GE RJ45 ports (including 7 x Internal Ports, 2 x WAN Ports, 1 x DMZ Port) provide essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in branch offices.
- Identify the exact product and hardware model, installed firmware version, and release branch.
- Determine whether HTTP or HTTPS administrative access is enabled and whether the interface is reachable from untrusted networks.
- Check Fortinet’s current PSIRT entry for CVE-2023-25610 and its upgrade guidance for the specific model and installed release.
- Follow the supported upgrade path for that appliance, accounting for any intermediate releases Fortinet requires. If you cannot confirm a supported path, contact Fortinet support or your authorized service provider before upgrading.
For current direction, start with Fortinet’s PSIRT advisories. The historical fixed versions show what addressed the original flaw in 2023; they should not be treated as current, generally safe firmware targets.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Superior Performance for Secure Networks: Features powerful system-on-a-chip acceleration to deliver top-tier security with 1.4 Gbps IPS throughput and 700 Mbps threat protection throughput, ensuring effective defense against advanced threats.
- Enhanced SSL Inspection and SD-WAN Capabilities: Utilizes purpose-built security processor technology to provide the industry's highest SSL inspection performance and robust SD-WAN functionality for secure, high-speed network operations.
- Simple and Effective Management: Comes equipped with a user-friendly management console that supports comprehensive network automation and visibility, alongside Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet's Security Fabric for streamlined deployment.
- Advanced Security Features: Leverages continuous threat intelligence from AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats, enhancing security across all network traffic, whether encrypted or not.
Rank #4
- Built on a purposed-built secure processor, this compact network firewall delivers the highest level of security performance and energy efficiency in its class – 2.5 Gbps IPS throughput | 1.3 Gbps threat protection | 1.4 Gbps SSL Inspection throughput.
- User-friendly management console gives you centralized visibility and simplifies policy enforcement across your network. Its zero-touch deployment helps you optimize your onboarding experience.
- Compact design equipped with 10 x GE RJ45 ports (including 7 x Internal Ports, 2 x WAN Ports, 1 x DMZ Port) provide essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in branch offices.
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