How severe is CVE-2016-4573?

CVE-2016-4573 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-4573 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-4573?

CVE-2016-4573 affects Fortinet Fortiswitch. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-4573?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-4573 published?

CVE-2016-4573 was published on 2016-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-4573

CVE-2016-4573 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Fortiswitch with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (90th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Fortinet Fortiswitch
Published: 2016-09-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Fortinet FortiSwitch FSW-108D-POE, FSW-124D, FSW-124D-POE, FSW-224D-POE, FSW-224D-FPOE, FSW-248D-POE, FSW-248D-FPOE, FSW-424D, FSW-424D-POE, FSW-424D-FPOE, FSW-448D, FSW-448D-POE, FSW-448D-FPOE, FSW-524D, FSW-524D-FPOE, FSW-548D, FSW-548D-FPOE, FSW-1024D, FSW-1048D, FSW-3032D, and FSW-R-112D-POE models, when in FortiLink managed mode and upgraded to 3.4.1, might allow remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access via an empty password for the rest_admin account.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-4573?: Fortinet FortiSwitch FSW-108D-POE, FSW-124D, FSW-124D-POE, FSW-224D-POE, FSW-224D-FPOE, FSW-248D-POE, FSW-248D-FPOE, FSW-424D, FSW-424D-POE, FSW-424D-FPOE, FSW-448D, FSW-448D-POE, FSW-448D-FPOE, FSW-524D, FSW-524D-FPOE, FSW-548D, FSW-548D-FPOE, FSW-1024D, FSW-1048D, FSW-3032D, and FSW-R-112D-POE models, when in FortiLink managed mode and upgraded to 3.4.1, might allow remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access via an empty password for the rest_admin account.
How severe is CVE-2016-4573?: CVE-2016-4573 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-4573 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-4573?: CVE-2016-4573 affects Fortinet Fortiswitch. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-4573?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-4573 published?: CVE-2016-4573 was published on 2016-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:fortinet:fortiswitch:3.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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