CVE-2023-48788
CVE-2023-48788 is a security flaw in Fortinet FortiClient EMS, Fortinet’s business security equipment. Attackers can run commands on Fortinet FortiClient EMS from anywhere, without logging in. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Mar 2024, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Fortinet FortiClient EMS is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Fortinet has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it an SQL injection in Fortinet FortiClient EMS. In its words: “Fortinet FortiClient EMS contains a SQL injection vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute commands as SYSTEM via specifically crafted requests.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in Fortinet FortiClientEMS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, FortiClientEMS 7.0.1 through 7.0.10 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted packets.”[2]
The underlying weakness is SQL injection (CWE-89), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Fortinet’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Fortinet FortiClient EMS.
Most families won’t have Fortinet FortiClient EMS; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Mar 2024, 13 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 15 Apr 2024 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 98%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Fortinet has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Fortinet FortiClient EMS is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 15 Apr 2024 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 98%.[4] |
See also
Other Fortinet FortiClient EMS flaws
- CVE-2026-21643: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2026-35616: improper access control ·
Other Fortinet flaws
- CVE-2025-61624, Fortinet products: path traversal ·
- CVE-2026-104286, Fortinet FortiMail: path traversal ·
- CVE-2025-25249, Fortinet products: heap-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-68686, Fortinet FortiOS: exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor ·
- CVE-2026-39808, Fortinet FortiSandbox: OS command injection ·
Other SQL injection flaws
- CVE-2026-114625, Arista VeloCloud Orchestrator: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2026-76461, Cisco Secure Email Gateway: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2026-9586, Sangoma Switchvox: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2026-72898, Metabase: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2026-60137, WordPress Core: SQL injection ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2021-44529, Ivanti Endpoint Manager Cloud Service Appliance (EPM CSA): code injection ·
- CVE-2019-7256, Nice Linear eMerge E3-Series: OS command injection ·
Every Fortinet flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in March 2024
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Fortinet FortiClient EMS SQL Injection Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Mar 2024.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-48788 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 12 Mar 2024.
- ^ Fortinet. Advisories and fixes: fortiguard.com, fortiguard.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.984, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-48788”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.