CVE-2025-25257: Fortinet FortiWeb Critical Vulnerability

What is CVE-2025-25257?

An improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability [CWE-89] vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb 7.6.0 through 7.6.3, FortiWeb 7.4.0 through 7.4.7, FortiWeb 7.2.0 through 7.2.10, FortiWeb 7.0.0 through 7.0.10 allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute unauthorized SQL code or commands via crafted HTTP or HTTPs requests.

Technical Analysis

Weakness Classification

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 — SQL Injection. Untrusted data is included in SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete database contents.

Attack Vector Breakdown

• Attack Vector: Network
• Attack Complexity: Low
• Privileges Required: None
• User Interaction: None
• Scope: Unchanged
• Confidentiality: High
• Integrity: High
• Availability: High

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability is exploitable over the network, meaning any system reachable via the internet or internal network is potentially at risk without physical access. The attack complexity is low, requires no special privileges, and needs no user interaction — making it straightforward to exploit at scale. Successful exploitation can result in full confidentiality breach (complete data disclosure), complete integrity compromise (data modification or code execution), total availability loss (denial of service). Untrusted data is included in SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete database contents.

Exploitation Probability (EPSS): 26.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (96th percentile). This is a significantly elevated exploitation probability — prioritize patching.

Exploit Availability

Public exploit code or proof-of-concept is available for CVE-2025-25257. This significantly increases the risk of exploitation, as attackers can use or adapt existing exploit code rather than developing their own. A public exploit reference has been identified. Organizations should treat this as an urgent patching priority.

Is CVE-2025-25257 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2025-25257 is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, restricted to CVEs with confirmed active exploitation in the wild. CISA added this vulnerability on 2025-07-18. Inclusion in KEV triggers the patching mandate under BOD 22-01 for U.S. federal civilian agencies, with a remediation deadline of 2025-08-08. Additionally, public exploit code is available, which lowers the barrier for attackers.

How to fix CVE-2025-25257

Upgrade FortiOS or the affected product firmware to the fixed version listed in the FortiGuard PSIRT advisory. For FortiGate devices, use the firmware upgrade path tool to determine the correct upgrade sequence. If immediate patching is not possible, apply the recommended workaround (e.g. disabling affected features, restricting management interface access). Check the Fortinet PSIRT Advisories page for the specific patch or update. CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog requires U.S. federal agencies to remediate this vulnerability by the due date shown below under Binding Operational Directive 22-01. Private organizations should treat KEV entries as priority-one patches because active exploitation has been confirmed in the wild.

Related Vulnerabilities

Other actively exploited vulnerabilities affecting FortiWeb or sharing the same weakness (CWE-89):

• CVE-2025-58034 (High 7.2) [same product] — An Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS…
• CVE-2025-64446 (Unknown N/A) [same product] — Fortinet FortiWeb contains a relative path traversal vulnerability that may…
• CVE-2026-21643 (Critical 9.8) [same vendor + same CWE] — An improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql…
• CVE-2026-9082 (Critical 9.8) [same CWE] — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL…
• CVE-2026-42208 (Critical 9.8) [same CWE] — LiteLLM is a proxy server (AI Gateway) to call LLM APIs in OpenAI (or native)…

Frequently asked questions

Is CVE-2025-25257 critical?

CVE-2025-25257 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 — Critical severity. It should be treated as a priority patch, especially given the active exploitation confirmed by CISA. The availability of public exploit code further increases the urgency.

Is CVE-2025-25257 being actively exploited?

Yes — CISA added CVE-2025-25257 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-07-18. Inclusion in KEV means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation. Public exploit code has also been identified, making exploitation accessible to a broader range of threat actors.

How do I patch CVE-2025-25257?

Apply the security update from Fortinet for FortiWeb. Federal agencies must remediate by 2025-08-08 under BOD 22-01. Refer to the Fortinet PSIRT Advisories for the official patch.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-25257?

CVE-2025-25257 is classified under CWE-89 (SQL Injection). Untrusted data is included in SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete database contents.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-25257?

CVE-2025-25257 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, classifying it as Critical severity. The attack vector is Network, attack complexity is Low, and no privileges are required.