CVE-2023-48788

CRITICAL KEV RANSOMWARE NUCLEI

Fortinet Forticlient Endpoint Management Server - SQL Injection

Title source: nuclei
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2023-48788 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added March 25, 2024, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 2 public exploits from researchers including horizon3ai, Zach Hanley, James Horseman, jheysel-r7, Spencer McIntyre, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/http/forticlient_ems_fctid_sqli. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a functional Python exploit for CVE-2023-48788, a SQL injection vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClient EMS. The exploit sends a crafted registration message with a SQL injection payload to check for vulnerability.

Description

A improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in Fortinet FortiClientEMS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, FortiClientEMS 7.0.1 through 7.0.10 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted packets.

Exploits (2)

nomisec WORKING POC 52 stars
by horizon3ai · remote
https://github.com/horizon3ai/CVE-2023-48788

This repository contains a functional Python exploit for CVE-2023-48788, a SQL injection vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClient EMS. The exploit sends a crafted registration message with a SQL injection payload to check for vulnerability.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Sqli
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Fortinet FortiClient EMS
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target FortiClient EMS server · Target server must be running a vulnerable version of FortiClient EMS
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by Zach Hanley, James Horseman, jheysel-r7, Spencer McIntyre · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/http/forticlient_ems_fctid_sqli.rb

This Metasploit module exploits an SQL injection vulnerability (CVE-2023-48788) in FortiClient EMS, enabling unauthenticated remote code execution via xp_cmdshell in the context of NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The exploit targets versions 7.2.0-7.2.2 and 7.0.1-7.0.10 by crafting malicious messages to the FCTDas.exe service.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Sqli
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: FortiClient EMS 7.2.0-7.2.2, 7.0.1-7.0.10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: At least one endpoint enrolled in FortiClient EMS · Network access to port 8013
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

Fortinet Forticlient Endpoint Management Server - SQL Injection
CRITICALVERIFIEDby James Horseman,ItshMoh

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.9408
EPSS Percentile 99.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2024-03-25
VulnCheck KEV 2024-03-12
InTheWild.io 2024-03-25
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2023-52821
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-89
Status published
Products (1)
fortinet/forticlient_enterprise_management_server 7.0.1 - 7.0.11
Published Mar 12, 2024
KEV Added Mar 25, 2024
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026