How severe is CVE-2017-17543?

CVE-2017-17543 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2017-17543 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-17543?

CVE-2017-17543 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-17543?

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

When was CVE-2017-17543 published?

CVE-2017-17543 was published on 2018-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-17543

CVE-2017-17543 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-326.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (36th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-326
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2018-04-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Users' VPN authentication credentials are unsafely encrypted in Fortinet FortiClient for Windows 5.6.0 and below versions, FortiClient for Mac OSX 5.6.0 and below versions and FortiClient SSLVPN Client for Linux 4.4.2335 and below versions, due to the use of a static encryption key and weak encryption algorithms.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-17543?: Users' VPN authentication credentials are unsafely encrypted in Fortinet FortiClient for Windows 5.6.0 and below versions, FortiClient for Mac OSX 5.6.0 and below versions and FortiClient SSLVPN Client for Linux 4.4.2335 and below versions, due to the use of a static encryption key and weak encryption algorithms.
How severe is CVE-2017-17543?: CVE-2017-17543 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2017-17543 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-17543?: CVE-2017-17543 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-17543?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-17543 published?: CVE-2017-17543 was published on 2018-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-17-214

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient_sslvpn_client:*:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*

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