Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-22635

Fortinet Forticlient 4.0.0 – 5.6.6

Published
11 April 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.3
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L
EPSS Score 0.0012 2th percentile
Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-22635 is a high-severity Download of Code Without Integrity Check (CWE-494) vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient. Its CVSS base score is 7.3 (High).

Operationally, ranked at the 2th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

A download of code without Integrity check vulnerability [CWE-494] in FortiClientMac version 7.0.0 through 7.0.7, 6.4 all versions, 6.2 all versions, 6.0 all versions, 5.6 all versions, 5.4 all versions, 5.2 all versions, 5.0 all versions and 4.0 all versions…

more

may allow a local attacker to escalate their privileges via modifying the installer upon upgrade.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2025-54660Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-47574Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-31489Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-36507Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2023-37939Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2025-46373Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-50570Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-50564Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2023-33304Same product: Fortinet Forticlient
CVE-2024-31492Same product: Fortinet Forticlient

Affected Assets

fortinet
forticlient
4.0.0 — 5.6.6 · 6.0.0 — 6.4.10 · 7.0.0 — 7.0.8

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 9 hardening rules · 5 OS baselines
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-494

Policies can require integrity verification of software prior to installation, reducing risks from unverified downloads.

addresses: CWE-494

Blocks installation of components lacking a valid signature, mitigating download or installation of code without integrity checks.

addresses: CWE-494

Acquisition and maintenance portions of the strategy drive requirements for integrity verification of downloaded or supplied code.

addresses: CWE-494

Mandating integrity control and approved-only changes during development prevents incorporation of code or components lacking integrity validation.

addresses: CWE-494

Supply chain protection requires integrity verification of acquired components, directly reducing insertion or tampering of malicious code during delivery.

addresses: CWE-494

Reduces exposure to code obtained without integrity verification by requiring assurance processes that confirm authenticity and absence of tampering.

addresses: CWE-494

Tamper resistance and detection commonly include integrity verification of code and firmware obtained from external sources.

addresses: CWE-494

Component authenticity requires verifying origin/integrity of acquired firmware or software, directly preventing inclusion of code without integrity checks.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

ID.RA-09 full match
prevents

Directly requires assessing authenticity/integrity of software before acquisition and use, preventing unverified downloads.

PR.DS-02 mostly match
prevents

Requires cryptographic integrity protections (signatures/hashes) for data-in-transit, covering downloaded code.

PR.PS-05 mostly match
prevents

Prevents execution of unauthorized software, blocking the outcome of an unchecked download.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

prevents

Mandating integrity checks, digital signatures, and origin tracing for ICT components directly reduces the chance that code or firmware lacking an integrity check will be accepted into the organisation’s environment.

none

Requiring suppliers to disclose vulnerabilities and mandating verified updates lowers the chance that code lacking integrity checks will be deployed.

Hardening callouts derived

Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that reduce the attack surface for weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Derived transitively via CVE→CWE→STIG over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only).

Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
  • V-271524 OL 9 must check the GPG signature of software packages originating from external software repositories before installation. via CWE-494

References