# CVE-2023-48788: Fortinet FortiClient EMS SQL Injection

> An attacker can execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted packets due to SQL injection in FortiClient EMS.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:U/RC:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2024 (CISA KEV), used in ransomware
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 12 Mar 2024
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fv47-jg3j-5qf6

## What is CVE-2023-48788?

CVE-2023-48788 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientEMS, published on 12 Mar 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in Fortinet FortiClientEMS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, FortiClientEMS 7.0.1 through 7.0.10 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specially crafted packets.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-48788?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Fortinet Forticlient Enterprise Management Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-48788?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-48788 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2024.

## Is CVE-2023-48788 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-48788 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2024, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code:

- Fortinet FortiClient EMS SQL Injection (github_poc): https://github.com/horizon3ai/CVE-2023-48788
- FortiNet FortiClient Endpoint Management Server FCTID SQLi to RCE (metasploit)
- Fortinet Forticlient Endpoint Management Server - SQL Injection (nuclei)

## Other vulnerabilities in Fortinet FortiClientEMS

- [CVE-2023-45581](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45581/): Privilege escalation in FortiClientEMS (high 7.9)
- [CVE-2024-33508](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-33508/): Command injection in FortiClientEMS (medium 6.9)
- [CVE-2021-36189](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-36189/): Information disclosure in Fortinet FortiClientEMS (medium 6.8)
- [CVE-2021-41030](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-41030/): Auth bypass in Fortinet FortiClientEMS (medium 5.4)
- [CVE-2020-15940](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15940/): Cross-site scripting in Fortinet FortiClientEMS (medium 4.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-48788 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-48788 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClientEMS, published on 12 Mar 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-48788 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2024, including in ransomware campaigns.

Affected product: Fortinet FortiClientEMS. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-48788/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-48788/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-48788
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-48788
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-48788

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-48788/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.