CVE-2019-6693

MEDIUM KEV RANSOMWARE

FortiOS < 5.6.10 - Use of Hard-coded Credentials in Configuration Backup

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2019-6693 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added June 25, 2025, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 4 public exploits from researchers including saladandonionrings, synacktiv, gquere.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Python script decrypts FortiGate user and HA configuration passwords by leveraging a known encryption key (CVE-2019-6693). It parses FortiOS configuration files and uses AES-CBC decryption with a hardcoded key.

Description

Use of a hard-coded cryptographic key to cipher sensitive data in FortiOS configuration backup file may allow an attacker with access to the backup file to decipher the sensitive data, via knowledge of the hard-coded key. The aforementioned sensitive data includes users' passwords (except the administrator's password), private keys' passphrases and High Availability password (when set).

Exploits (4)

nomisec WORKING POC 25 stars
by saladandonionrings · local
https://github.com/saladandonionrings/cve-2019-6693

This Python script decrypts FortiGate user and HA configuration passwords by leveraging a known encryption key (CVE-2019-6693). It parses FortiOS configuration files and uses AES-CBC decryption with a hardcoded key.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiOS (FortiGate)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Access to FortiOS configuration files (e.g., 'show user local' or 'show system ha') · Python 3.x with pycryptodome
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 11 stars
by synacktiv · poc
https://github.com/synacktiv/CVE-2020-9289

This PoC decrypts FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer configuration secrets by exploiting a hardcoded AES key (CVE-2020-9289 and CVE-2019-6693). It handles IV extraction and padding adjustments specific to these devices.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer (versions affected by CVE-2020-9289/CVE-2019-6693)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Base64-encoded encrypted secret from FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer configuration
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 7 stars
by gquere · infoleak
https://github.com/gquere/CVE-2019-6693

This PoC decrypts FortiGate configuration secrets by exploiting a hardcoded AES encryption key (CVE-2019-6693). It takes a base64-encoded encrypted string and decrypts it using a known key and IV.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiGate VM/appliances below versions 6.2.0, 6.0.0 to 6.0.6, 5.6.10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a dumped FortiGate configuration file containing encrypted secrets
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Real4XoR · local
https://github.com/Real4XoR/CVE-2019-6693

This PoC decrypts FortiGate configuration files or individual encrypted strings using a known default encryption key. It leverages AES-CBC decryption to reveal sensitive information if the default key has not been changed.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiGate (versions with default encryption keys)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a FortiGate configuration file or an encrypted string
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (2)

Core 2
Core References
Mitigation, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-19-007

Scores

CVSS v3 6.5
EPSS 0.7222
EPSS Percentile 98.8%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CISA KEV 2025-06-25
VulnCheck KEV 2023-08-23
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2019-16251
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-798
Status published
Products (2)
fortinet/fortios 6.2.0
fortinet/fortios < 5.6.10
Published Nov 21, 2019
KEV Added Jun 25, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026