Forticlient
CVE-2026-24018
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessCreate malicious symlink in predictable FortiClient directory
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ExploitExecute FortiClient operation triggering symlink follow
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ExecutionWrite arbitrary file with root privileges
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ImpactEscalate to root access
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling UNIX symlink resolution
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Local unprivileged user account on system with FortiClientLinux 7.2.2–7.2.12 or 7.4.0–7.4.4 installed. Attacker must have write access to directories where FortiClient creates or manages files during normal operation. |
| Impact | CVSS 7.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitable via local access. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to a local and unprivileged user to escalate their privileges to root. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
following vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientLinux 7.4.0 versions up to 7.4.4 contains a vulnerability that allows attackers to a local and unprivileged user to escalate their privileges to root (CVSS 7.8).
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Affects your stack
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Technical ContextAI · show details
affects following vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientLinux 7.4.0. A UNIX symbolic link (Symlink) following vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientLinux 7.4.0 through 7.4.4, FortiClientLinux 7.2.2 through 7.2.12 may allow a local and unprivileged user to escalate their privileges to root.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
A UNIX symbolic link (Symlink) following vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientLinux 7.4.0 through 7.4.4, FortiClientLinux 7.2.2 through 7.2.12 may allow a local and unprivileged user to escalate their privileges to root.
Articles & Coverage 1
Zero Day Initiative Advisories
Executive ViewAI
FortiClient Linux versions 7.4.0-7.4.4 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow unauthorized users to gain root access to affected systems. This poses a significant risk to organizations using FortiClient on Linux endpoints, as compromised systems could be used to access sensitive corporate resources and circumvent security controls.
Restrict local user account creation and access on affected Linux systems; implement strict access controls and privilege separation; monitor and log all privilege escalation attempts; consider temporary replacement of FortiClient with alternative endpoint protection solutions; isolate affected systems from critical network segments until patched; disable unnecessary local user accounts on affected endpoints.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB