How severe is CVE-2023-44252?

CVE-2023-44252 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, 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 high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-44252 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (50th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-44252?

CVE-2023-44252 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-2023-44252?

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-2023-44252 published?

CVE-2023-44252 was published on 2023-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-44252

CVE-2023-44252 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Fortiwan 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (50th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Fortinet Fortiwan
Published: 2023-12-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **An improper authentication vulnerability [CWE-287] 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 escalate his privileges via HTTP or HTTPs requests with crafted JWT token values.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-44252?: ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **An improper authentication vulnerability [CWE-287] 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 escalate his privileges via HTTP or HTTPs requests with crafted JWT token values.
How severe is CVE-2023-44252?: CVE-2023-44252 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, 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 high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-44252 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (50th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-44252?: CVE-2023-44252 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-2023-44252?: 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-2023-44252 published?: CVE-2023-44252 was published on 2023-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-061

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

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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-2023-44251 — High (CVSS 8.3): ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED **A improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal')…
CVE-2021-26112 — High (CVSS 8.1): Multiple stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities [CWE-121] both in network daemons and in the command line…

All CVEs affecting Fortinet Fortiwan →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →