Introduction
Attackers can bypass authentication and execute unauthorized commands on critical Fortinet infrastructure by exploiting a weak authentication flaw in FortiPAM and FortiSwitchManager. This vulnerability affects privileged access management and network management systems widely deployed in enterprise environments, exposing sensitive assets to remote compromise.
Fortinet is a leading global cybersecurity vendor with a broad product portfolio including firewalls, privileged access management, and network infrastructure solutions. Its products are used by thousands of organizations worldwide to secure critical assets and manage privileged access. The impact of vulnerabilities in these systems can be significant, given their central role in enterprise security architectures.
Technical Information
CVE-2025-49201 is a weak authentication vulnerability classified under CWE-1390. The flaw exists in Fortinet FortiPAM and FortiSwitchManager and allows remote attackers to bypass authentication controls by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected services. Successful exploitation enables execution of unauthorized code or commands with the privileges of the application.
The root cause is insufficient validation of user identity during the authentication process. The vulnerability is triggered through manipulation of HTTP requests, but no further technical details, vulnerable code snippets, or exploitation flows are publicly available. The attack vector is remote and does not require prior authentication.
Affected Systems and Versions
- FortiPAM: Versions 1.0.0 through 1.0.3, 1.1.0 through 1.1.2, 1.2.0, 1.3.0 through 1.3.1, 1.4.0 through 1.4.2, and 1.5.0
- FortiSwitchManager: Versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.4
All configurations of these versions are vulnerable unless otherwise specified by the vendor.
Vendor Security History
Fortinet has previously addressed authentication-related vulnerabilities in multiple products, including FortiManager, FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiWeb. Some of these issues, such as command injection and authentication bypass, have been exploited in the wild. The recurrence of authentication flaws highlights ongoing challenges in secure implementation across the Fortinet product line. Fortinet generally publishes advisories and patches in a timely manner, but organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for new disclosures.