How severe is CVE-2022-39954?

CVE-2022-39954 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2022-39954 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-39954?

CVE-2022-39954 primarily affects Fortinet Fortinac. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-39954?

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-2022-39954 published?

CVE-2022-39954 was published on 2023-02-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-39954

CVE-2022-39954 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Fortinac with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3. 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-611.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (42nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-611
Affected product: Fortinet Fortinac
Published: 2023-02-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An improper restriction of xml external entity reference in Fortinet FortiNAC version 9.4.0 through 9.4.1, FortiNAC version 9.2.0 through 9.2.7, FortiNAC version 9.1.0 through 9.1.8, FortiNAC version 8.8.0 through 8.8.11, FortiNAC version 8.7.0 through 8.7.6, FortiNAC version 8.6.0 through 8.6.5, FortiNAC version 8.5.0 through 8.5.4, FortiNAC version 8.3.7 allows attacker to read arbitrary files or trigger a denial of service via specifically crafted XML documents.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-39954?: An improper restriction of xml external entity reference in Fortinet FortiNAC version 9.4.0 through 9.4.1, FortiNAC version 9.2.0 through 9.2.7, FortiNAC version 9.1.0 through 9.1.8, FortiNAC version 8.8.0 through 8.8.11, FortiNAC version 8.7.0 through 8.7.6, FortiNAC version 8.6.0 through 8.6.5, FortiNAC version 8.5.0 through 8.5.4, FortiNAC version 8.3.7 allows attacker to read arbitrary files or trigger a denial of service via specifically crafted XML documents.
How severe is CVE-2022-39954?: CVE-2022-39954 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2022-39954 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (42nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-39954?: CVE-2022-39954 primarily affects Fortinet Fortinac. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-39954?: 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-2022-39954 published?: CVE-2022-39954 was published on 2023-02-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-304

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortinac:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortinac-f:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Fortinet Fortinac

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CVE-2022-39953 — High (CVSS 7.8): A improper privilege management in Fortinet FortiNAC version 9.4.0 through 9.4.1, FortiNAC version 9.2.0 through 9.2.6,…
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Other CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE)) vulnerabilities

CVE-2022-22486 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler 9.4, 9.5, and 10.1 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when…
CVE-2019-14678 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SAS XML Mapper 9.45 has an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that can be leveraged by malicious attackers in…
CVE-2015-9280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): MailEnable before 8.60 allows XXE via an XML document in the request.aspx Options parameter.
CVE-2018-1000838 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): autopsy version <= 4.9.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in CaseMetadata XML Parser that can result…
CVE-2018-1000837 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UML Designer version <= 8.0.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in XML parser for plugins that can…
CVE-2018-1000835 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): KeePassDX version <= 2.5.0.0beta17 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in kdbx file parser that can…

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