How severe is CVE-2020-15934?

CVE-2020-15934 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15934 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15934?

CVE-2020-15934 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15934?

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.

Does CVE-2020-15934 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2020-15934 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-7905.

When was CVE-2020-15934 published?

CVE-2020-15934 was published on 2024-12-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15934

CVE-2020-15934 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (13th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-7905
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2024-12-19
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An execution with unnecessary privileges vulnerability in the VCM engine of FortiClient for Linux versions 6.2.7 and below, version 6.4.0. may allow local users to elevate their privileges to root by creating a malicious script or program on the target machine.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15934?: An execution with unnecessary privileges vulnerability in the VCM engine of FortiClient for Linux versions 6.2.7 and below, version 6.4.0. may allow local users to elevate their privileges to root by creating a malicious script or program on the target machine.
How severe is CVE-2020-15934?: CVE-2020-15934 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15934 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15934?: CVE-2020-15934 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15934?: 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.
Does CVE-2020-15934 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2020-15934 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-7905.
When was CVE-2020-15934 published?: CVE-2020-15934 was published on 2024-12-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-20-110

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:6.4.0:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Fortinet Forticlient

CVE-2019-17658 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An unquoted service path vulnerability in the FortiClient FortiTray component of FortiClientWindows v6.2.2 and prior…
CVE-2023-45590 — Critical (CVSS 9.6): An improper control of generation of code ('code injection') in Fortinet FortiClientLinux version 7.2.0, 7.0.6 through…
CVE-2017-14184 — High (CVSS 8.8): An Information Disclosure vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClient for Windows 5.6.0 and below versions, FortiClient for…
CVE-2016-8493 — High (CVSS 8.8): In FortiClientWindows 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, an attacker may escalate privilege via a FortiClientNamedPipe vulnerability.
CVE-2021-43066 — High (CVSS 8.4): A external control of file name or path in Fortinet FortiClientWindows version 7.0.2 and below, version 6.4.6 and…
CVE-2023-45588 — High (CVSS 8.2): An external control of file name or path vulnerability [CWE-73] in FortiClientMac version 7.2.3 and below, version…

All CVEs affecting Fortinet Forticlient →

Other CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-31852 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Jellyfin is an open-source media system. The code-quality.yml GitHub Actions workflow in jellyfin/jellyfin-ios is…
CVE-2025-20282 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability in an internal API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to…
CVE-2025-0505 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): On Arista CloudVision systems (virtual or physical on-premise deployments), Zero Touch Provisioning can be used to gain…
CVE-2023-48418 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In checkDebuggingDisallowed of DeviceVersionFragment.java, there is a possible way to access adb before SUW…
CVE-2023-48419 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An attacker in the wifi vicinity of a target Google Home can spy on the victim, resulting in Elevation of Privilege
CVE-2023-31273 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Protection mechanism failure in some Intel DCM software before version 5.2 may allow an unauthenticated user to…

Browse all CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) vulnerabilities →