Overview
CVE-2025-47761 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiClientWindows versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.3 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.9. This vulnerability, classified as an “Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control” (CWE-782), allows an authenticated local user to potentially execute unauthorized code via the fortips driver.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from an exposed Input/Output Control (IOCTL) interface within the fortips driver that lacks proper access control. A local attacker, after successful authentication, can leverage this exposed IOCTL to interact with the driver in unintended ways. Successful exploitation would require bypassing Windows memory protections like Heap integrity and Hardware-based Stack Protection (HSP). Furthermore, a valid and running VPN IPSec connection is a prerequisite for exploitation.
Specifically, the insufficient access control over the IOCTL allows a malicious actor to craft specific requests that, if successfully processed by the driver, could lead to arbitrary code execution within a privileged context.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-47761
- Severity: HIGH
- CVSS Score: 7.8
A CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high-severity vulnerability. The exploit requires local access and user interaction. However, the potential impact, which includes arbitrary code execution, makes it a critical issue for organizations using affected versions of FortiClientWindows.
Possible Impact
A successful exploit of CVE-2025-47761 could allow a local attacker to:
- Gain elevated privileges on the system.
- Execute arbitrary code within the kernel context.
- Potentially compromise the entire system.
- Bypass security restrictions imposed by the operating system.
Given the potential for privilege escalation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems where sensitive data is stored or processed.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
Fortinet has released patches to address this vulnerability. It is strongly recommended that users of affected FortiClientWindows versions upgrade to the latest available version as soon as possible. Here’s a summary of the recommended actions:
- Identify Affected Systems: Determine which systems are running FortiClientWindows versions 7.4.0-7.4.3 and 7.2.0-7.2.9.
- Apply the Patch: Upgrade FortiClientWindows to a patched version (later than 7.4.3 or 7.2.9) as provided by Fortinet. Refer to the Fortinet advisory for specific version details.
- Monitor Systems: Continuously monitor systems for any signs of compromise or suspicious activity.
