How severe is CVE-2023-44251?

CVE-2023-44251 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity low, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-44251 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (55th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-44251?

CVE-2023-44251 primarily affects Fortinet Fortiwan. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-44251?

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-2023-44251 published?

CVE-2023-44251 was published on 2023-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-44251

CVE-2023-44251 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Fortiwan with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.3. 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-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (55th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Fortinet Fortiwan
Published: 2023-12-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **A improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') vulnerability [CWE-22] in Fortinet FortiWAN version 5.2.0 through 5.2.1 and version 5.1.1. through 5.1.2 may allow an authenticated attacker to read and delete arbitrary file of the system via crafted HTTP or HTTPs requests.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-44251?: ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **A improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') vulnerability [CWE-22] in Fortinet FortiWAN version 5.2.0 through 5.2.1 and version 5.1.1. through 5.1.2 may allow an authenticated attacker to read and delete arbitrary file of the system via crafted HTTP or HTTPs requests.
How severe is CVE-2023-44251?: CVE-2023-44251 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity low, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-44251 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (55th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-44251?: CVE-2023-44251 primarily affects Fortinet Fortiwan. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-44251?: 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-2023-44251 published?: CVE-2023-44251 was published on 2023-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-265

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiwan:5.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiwan:5.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiwan:5.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:fortiwan:5.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Fortinet Fortiwan

CVE-2021-26102 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A relative path traversal vulnerability (CWE-23) in FortiWAN version 4.5.7 and below, 4.4 all versions may allow a…
CVE-2021-26114 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Multiple improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command vulnerabilities in FortiWAN before 4.5.9…
CVE-2023-44252 — High (CVSS 8.8): ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **An improper authentication vulnerability [CWE-287] in Fortinet FortiWAN version 5.2.0…
CVE-2022-33869 — High (CVSS 8.8): An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability [CWE-78] in the management…
CVE-2016-4965 — High (CVSS 8.8): Fortinet FortiWan (formerly AscernLink) before 4.2.5 allows remote authenticated users with access to the nslookup…
CVE-2021-26112 — High (CVSS 8.1): Multiple stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities [CWE-121] both in network daemons and in the command line…

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