CVE-2016-1909
CriticalPublic exploitFortinet FortiAnalyzer before 5.0.12 and 5.2.x before 5.2.5; FortiSwitch 3.3.x before 3.3.3; FortiCache 3.0.x before 3.0.8; and FortiOS 4.1.x before 4.1.11, 4.2.x before 4.2.16, 4.3.x before 4.3.17 and 5.0.x before 5.0.8 have a hardcoded passphrase for the Fortimanager_Access…
Published Jan 15, 2016 · Updated May 6, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-1909 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3) affecting Fortios (Fortinet).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 71% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Fortios 4.3.16.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3
9.8
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
71%
Higher than 99.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2016-1909 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Fortinet FortiAnalyzer before 5.0.12 and 5.2.x before 5.2.5; FortiSwitch 3.3.x before 3.3.3; FortiCache 3.0.x before 3.0.8; and FortiOS 4.1.x before 4.1.11, 4.2.x before 4.2.16, 4.3.x before 4.3.17 and 5.0.x before 5.0.8 have a hardcoded passphrase for the Fortimanager_Access account, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative access via an SSH session.
Affected Products
10 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| FortiosFortinet | 5.0, 5.0.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 5.0.3, 5.0.4, 5.0.5, 5.0.6 | 4.3.16 |
Patched Releases
Fortios
4.3.16
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 15, 2016
Last updated
May 6, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-264
References
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/135225/FortiGate-OS-5.0.7-SSH-Backdoor.html
- exploit20160111 SSH Backdoor for FortiGate OS Version 4.x up to 5.0.7
- exploit39224
- exploitExploitDB-43386
- otherhttp://blog.fortinet.com/post/brief-statement-regarding-issues-found-with-fortios
FAQ
Common Questions.
Fortinet FortiAnalyzer before 5.0.12 and 5.2.x before 5.2.5; FortiSwitch 3.3.x before 3.3.3; FortiCache 3.0.x before 3.0.8; and FortiOS 4.1.x before 4.1.11, 4.2.x before 4.2.16, 4.3.x before 4.3.17 and 5.0.x before 5.0.8 have a hardcoded passphrase for the Fortimanager_Access account, which allows remote attackers to…
Affected: Fortios (Fortinet) versions 5.0, 5.0.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 5.0.3, 5.0.4, 5.0.5, 5.0.6. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Fortios 4.3.16.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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