How severe is CVE-2019-16155?

CVE-2019-16155 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-16155 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-2019-16155?

CVE-2019-16155 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16155?

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-2019-16155 published?

CVE-2019-16155 was published on 2020-02-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-16155

CVE-2019-16155 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.1)
CVSS v2: 6.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (36th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2020-02-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A privilege escalation vulnerability in FortiClient for Linux 6.2.1 and below may allow a user with low privilege to overwrite system files as root with arbitrary content through system backup file via specially crafted "BackupConfig" type IPC client requests to the fctsched process. Further more, FortiClient for Linux 6.2.2 and below allow low privilege user write the system backup file under root privilege through GUI thus can cause root system file overwrite.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-16155?: A privilege escalation vulnerability in FortiClient for Linux 6.2.1 and below may allow a user with low privilege to overwrite system files as root with arbitrary content through system backup file via specially crafted "BackupConfig" type IPC client requests to the fctsched process. Further more, FortiClient for Linux 6.2.2 and below allow low privilege user write the system backup file under root privilege through GUI thus can cause root system file overwrite.
How severe is CVE-2019-16155?: CVE-2019-16155 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-16155 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-2019-16155?: CVE-2019-16155 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-16155?: 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-2019-16155 published?: CVE-2019-16155 was published on 2020-02-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*

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