Skip to content

CVE-2022-40684 — An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS…

Key facts

CVE-2022-40684 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-10-11), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2022-40684 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-10-11), confirming exploitation in the wild. It is linked to known ransomware campaigns. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-11-01. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2022-40684
Severity Critical (9.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-10-11) · ransomware
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2022/CVE-2022-40684/

Details

English | 한국어

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2022-40684
CVSS Score 9.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2022/CVE-2022-40684/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2022-40684

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/169431/Fortinet-FortiOS-FortiProxy-FortiSwitchManager-Authentication-Bypass.html
  • http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171515/Fortinet-7.2.1-Authentication-Bypass.html
  • 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
  • https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-40684

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-06-25T03:00:18.691581801

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-40684?

CVE-2022-40684 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-10-11), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

How do I detect CVE-2022-40684?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2022-40684?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2022-40684 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2022-40684 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-10-11, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA also links it to known ransomware campaigns. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-11-01. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.