Fortinet FortiWeb SQL Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2025-25257) Exploited in the Wild
July 23rd 2025
Critical
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence Unit has observed active exploitation of a critical SQL injection vulnerability impacting Fortinet FortiWeb, identified as CVE-2025-25257. With a CVSS score of 9.6, this vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to run arbitrary SQL commands on exposed FortiWeb devices. Exploitation began soon after a public proof-of-concept (PoC) was released, highlighting the rapid weaponization cycle of disclosed vulnerabilities. Given the strategic placement of FortiWeb in perimeter defenses, this incident underscores the importance of prompt patching, continuous threat monitoring, and increased vigilance around internet-facing security systems.
Technical Details
Vulnerability ID: CVE-2025-25257.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.6).
Affected Product: Fortinet FortiWeb (specific vulnerable versions not publicly disclosed).
Vulnerability Type: SQL Injection.
Exploitation Status: Confirmed active exploitation in the wild.
CVE-2025-25257 arises from insufficient input sanitization within FortiWeb’s web interface. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL payloads, which can lead to unauthorized manipulation of the backend database.
Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-25257 may result in:
Complete compromise of FortiWeb appliances.
Exposure of sensitive data, including administrative credentials and system configurations.
Degradation of trust in perimeter security infrastructure.
Lateral movement and potential pivoting into internal network segments.
Regulatory and compliance risks, particularly for organizations operating in highly regulated sectors.
Considering FortiWeb's role in protecting critical web applications, this vulnerability could weaken broader organizational security measures and increase the risk of future attacks.
Detection Method
Organizations can identify potential exploitation of CVE-2025-25257 through the following methods:
Monitor FortiWeb application logs for malformed or suspicious SQL query patterns, particularly those originating from unauthenticated sources.
Review web access logs for anomalous requests targeting administrative or configuration-related endpoints.
Enable verbose logging on FortiWeb and centralize event data into a SIEM to support correlation and early detection of suspicious behavior.
Indicators of Compromise
There are no Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for this Advisory.
Recommendations
Apply FortiWeb security updates immediately. Affected versions and their respective fixed releases include:
FortiWeb 7.6: Upgrade from affected versions 7.6.0 through 7.6.3 to 7.6.4 or later.
FortiWeb 7.4: Upgrade from affected versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.7 to 7.4.8 or later.
FortiWeb 7.2: Upgrade from affected versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.10 to 7.2.11 or later.
FortiWeb 7.0: Upgrade from affected versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.10 to 7.0.11 or later.
Restrict external access to FortiWeb management interfaces using access control mechanisms.
Implement or update WAF rulesets to detect and block SQL injection attempts.
Conduct a compromise assessment on any systems that were exposed prior to patching.
Audit and rotate credentials stored or managed through FortiWeb appliances.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts.
Prompt patching and layered access controls are essential to prevent exploitation and contain potential impact.
Conclusion
The exploitation of CVE-2025-25257 in Fortinet FortiWeb highlights the accelerating pace at which threat actors weaponize publicly disclosed proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits. With a critical CVSS score of 9.6 and an unauthenticated attack vector, this vulnerability poses a high-impact risk to organizations that rely on FortiWeb for web application protection. We urge organizations to prioritize immediate patching, perform targeted threat hunting, and implement defense-in-depth strategies to reduce exposure. This incident demonstrates the importance of proactive vulnerability management and continuous monitoring, particularly for security appliances that are directly exposed to the internet.