CVE-2022-40684
This CVE is being exploited. Apply the vendor fix, or take the service off the internet until you can, then check your logs for attempts.
What it is
An authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel [CWE-288] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.1 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.6, FortiProxy version 7.2.0 and version 7.0.0 through 7.0.6 and FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.0 and 7.0.0 allows an unauthenticated atttacker to perform operations on the administrative interface via specially crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests.
Live exploitation on the huntback network (30 days)
Detection
Evidence
Confirmed exploited. Our decoys saw 36 exploitation attempts in the last 14 days; CISA added it to KEV 1493 days ago.
Last attempt. 156 attempts on our decoys, 36 in the last 14 days
First exploitation attempt on our decoys
Published
Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Exploit code published (ExploitDB)
Exploit code published (Metasploit)
Nuclei detection template available
Observed: our own decoys saw it. Reported: CISA, the vendor or another named source says so. Weaponised: public exploit code or a scanner template exists. Methodology
Questions
Is CVE-2022-40684 being exploited in the wild?
Yes. The huntback decoy network captured 156 exploitation attempts from 53 distinct source IPs; the most recent was on 2026-11-04. It is also in the CISA KEV catalogue.
Can CVE-2022-40684 be detected on the network?
Yes. huntback carries a network signature for CVE-2022-40684, so attempts against a decoy are tagged in real time.
How huntback helps
Deploy a decoy that emulates Fortios and you will see every attempt at this CVE the moment it lands, with the full payload, the attacker's infrastructure, and any stage-2 loader. Then huntback can scan the attacker back.
Related
NVD record → Browse all CVEs → Live malware and C2 finds → Novel-attack discovery → Deploy a decoy →API
This record, with its evidence timeline, as JSON:
curl -H "X-API-Key: $HUNTBACK_KEY" https://app.huntback.io/api/v1/evidence/CVE-2022-40684