CVE-2018-13379

CRITICAL KEV RANSOMWARE NUCLEI

FortiProxy < 1.2.9 and FortiOS 5.4.6-5.4.12 - Unauthenticated Path Traversal via SSL VPN Web Portal

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2018-13379 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added November 3, 2021, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 15 public exploits from researchers including Carlos E. Vieira, milo2012, Blazz3. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN to read the `/dev/cmdb/sslvpn_websession` file, which contains cleartext login credentials. It sends a crafted HTTP request to leak sensitive data and parses the binary response.

Description

An Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ("Path Traversal") in Fortinet FortiOS 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.3 to 5.6.7 and 5.4.6 to 5.4.12 and FortiProxy 2.0.0, 1.2.0 to 1.2.8, 1.1.0 to 1.1.6, 1.0.0 to 1.0.7 under SSL VPN web portal allows an unauthenticated attacker to download system files via special crafted HTTP resource requests.

Exploits (15)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Carlos E. Vieira · rubywebappshardware
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47287

This exploit leverages a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN to read the `/dev/cmdb/sslvpn_websession` file, which contains cleartext login credentials. It sends a crafted HTTP request to leak sensitive data and parses the binary response.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS 5.6.3 to 5.6.7 and 6.0.0 to 6.0.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the FortiOS SSL VPN interface (typically port 443)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
by Carlos E. Vieira · pythonwebappshardware
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47288

This exploit leverages a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS to read sensitive session files containing cleartext credentials. It checks for vulnerability, leaks the file, and parses it to extract readable data.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS 5.6.3 to 5.6.7 and 6.0.0 to 6.0.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target FortiOS SSL VPN interface · SSL VPN service exposed on the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 254 stars
by milo2012 · remote
https://github.com/milo2012/CVE-2018-13379

This PoC exploits CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in FortiOS SSL VPN, to leak session files containing sensitive information. It checks for vulnerable endpoints and dumps the contents of `/dev/cmdb/sslvpn_websession` for analysis.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiOS (5.6.3 to 5.6.7, 6.0.0 to 6.0.4)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: SSL VPN service enabled on target · Network access to the vulnerable endpoint
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 12 stars
by Blazz3 · infoleak
https://github.com/Blazz3/cve2018-13379-nmap-script

This repository contains an Nmap NSE script for detecting CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN web portal. The script is designed to identify the vulnerability by crafting HTTP requests to download system files.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.3 to 5.6.7
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Nmap with NSE support · Network access to the target FortiOS SSL VPN web portal
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 8 stars
by Zeop-CyberSec · remote
https://github.com/Zeop-CyberSec/fortios_vpnssl_traversal_leak

This Metasploit module exploits a path traversal vulnerability in FortiOS SSL VPN to leak credentials from the `/dev/cmdb/sslvpn_websession` file. It sends a crafted HTTP request to retrieve sensitive data and optionally stores credentials in the database.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiOS (5.4.6 to 5.4.12, 5.6.3 to 5.6.7, 6.0.0 to 6.0.4)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the FortiOS SSL VPN interface (port 10443)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 8 stars
by B1anda0 · remote
https://github.com/B1anda0/CVE-2018-13379

This is a Python script designed to scan for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN. It checks for the presence of the vulnerability by attempting to access a specific file path and verifying the response.

Classification
Scanner 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS 5.6.3-5.6.7, 6.0.0-6.0.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target URL list in a text file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 6 stars
by k4nfr3 · infoleak
https://github.com/k4nfr3/CVE-2018-13379-Fortinet

This PoC exploits CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in FortiOS SSL VPN, to leak sensitive session files containing credentials in cleartext. It automates the process of checking vulnerability status and extracting data from affected hosts.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiOS 5.6.3 to 5.6.7 and 6.0.0 to 6.0.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target's SSL VPN interface · List of target IPs/hosts
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 6 stars
by 0xHunter · remote
https://github.com/0xHunter/FortiOS-Credentials-Disclosure

This exploit targets CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in FortiOS SSL VPN web portal. It leaks sensitive session files containing credentials by accessing an unauthorized file path. The script automates the exploitation process and parses the leaked data.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiOS SSL VPN (versions affected by CVE-2018-13379)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target IP/host list · Network access to FortiOS SSL VPN portal
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 5 stars
by jpiechowka · remote
https://github.com/jpiechowka/at-doom-fortigate

This repository contains a tool to scan for vulnerable Fortigate hosts affected by CVE-2018-13379 using Rapid7 Project Sonar data. It leverages the Tor network for anonymity and checks for the presence of the vulnerability by sending HTTP requests to a specific path.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortigate SSL VPN
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Rapid7 Project Sonar data for port 10443 · Tor network access
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by Instructor-Admin · infoleak
https://github.com/Instructor-Admin/Multi-threaded-mass-exploiter-CVE-2018-13379-POC

This repository contains a functional multi-threaded exploit for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN. The exploit reads session files to extract cleartext credentials and saves them to CSV and PostgreSQL.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN
No auth needed
Prerequisites: list of target IPs and ports in a file · Python 3.6+ · requests library · optional: psycopg2-binary for PostgreSQL support
devstral-2 · analyzed May 24, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 1 stars
by pwn3z · remote
https://github.com/pwn3z/CVE-2018-13379-FortinetVPN

This repository contains a bash script that scans for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN. The script checks for vulnerable hosts by sending crafted HTTP requests to download system files.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.3 to 5.6.7, 5.4.6 to 5.4.12
No auth needed
Prerequisites: List of target hosts in a file named 'hosts'
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Zierax · infoleak
https://github.com/Zierax/CVE-2018-13379

This is a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiGate SSL VPN. It allows unauthenticated attackers to download system files, specifically targeting session files via a crafted HTTP request.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiGate SSL VPN (FortiOS 6.0.0 to 6.0.4, 5.6.3 to 5.6.7, 5.4.6 to 5.4.12)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the vulnerable FortiGate SSL VPN endpoint
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by kh4sh3i · infoleak
https://github.com/kh4sh3i/CVE-2018-13379

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN. It downloads session files and extracts usernames and session tokens for unauthorized access.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN (5.4.6-5.4.12, 5.6.3-5.6.7, 6.0.0-6.0.4)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to vulnerable FortiOS SSL VPN interface
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by nivdolgin · poc
https://github.com/nivdolgin/CVE-2018-13379

This repository contains IOCs (Indicators of Compromise) related to CVE-2018-13379 and its exploitation by threat actors, specifically referencing Cobalt Strike. It does not contain exploit code but provides attribution and references to external analysis.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS (CVE-2018-13379 affects FortiOS SSL VPN)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the repository or linked external resources
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER
by yukar1z0e · remote
https://github.com/yukar1z0e/CVE-2018-13379

This repository contains a scanner for CVE-2018-13379, a path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet SSL VPN. The script checks for the vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the target and analyzing the response.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN
No auth needed
Prerequisites: List of target IPs or networks
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

Fortinet FortiOS - Credentials Disclosure
CRITICALVERIFIEDby organiccrap
Shodan: http.html:"/remote/login" "xxxxxxxx" || http.favicon.hash:945408572 || cpe:"cpe:2.3:o:fortinet:fortios" || port:10443 http.favicon.hash:945408572
FOFA: body="/remote/login" "xxxxxxxx" || icon_hash=945408572

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Mitigation, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-18-384
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-20-233

Scores

CVSS v3 9.1
EPSS 0.9447
EPSS Percentile 100.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable yes
Technical Impact partial

Details

CISA KEV 2021-11-03
VulnCheck KEV 2019-10-02
InTheWild.io 2021-07-23
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2018-5323
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-22
Status published
Products (3)
fortinet/fortios 5.4.6 - 5.4.13
fortinet/fortiproxy 2.0.0
fortinet/fortiproxy < 1.2.9
Published Jun 04, 2019
KEV Added Nov 03, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026