Heap-based buffer overflow in FortiOS - CVE-2022-42475

 

Heap-based buffer overflow in FortiOS - CVE-2022-42475

Published: December 12, 2022 / Updated: August 30, 2025


Vulnerability identifier: #VU70120
CSH Severity: Critical
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Red
CVE-ID: CVE-2022-42475
CWE-ID: CWE-122
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability: The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vendor: Fortinet, Inc
Affected software:
FortiOS

Detailed vulnerability description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the sslvpnd daemon. A remote non-authenticated attacker can pass specially crafted data to the SSL-VPN interface, trigger a heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.


How to mitigate CVE-2022-42475

Install updates from vendor's website.

It is also advised by the vendor to check your system for the following indicators of compromise:

Multiple log entries with:

Logdesc="Application crashed" and msg="[...] application:sslvpnd,[...], Signal 11 received, Backtrace: [...]“

 

Presence of the following artifacts in the filesystem:

/data/lib/libips.bak
/data/lib/libgif.so
/data/lib/libiptcp.so
/data/lib/libipudp.so
/data/lib/libjepg.so
/var/.sslvpnconfigbk
/data/etc/wxd.conf
/flash

 

Connections to suspicious IP addresses from the FortiGate:

188.34.130.40:444
103.131.189.143:30080,30081,30443,20443
192.36.119.61:8443,444
172.247.168.153:8033


Sources