CVE-2019-6693 kev+ ransomware in the critical feed json
Use of a hard-coded cryptographic key to cipher sensitive data in FortiOS configuration backup file may allow an attacker with access to th…
published 2019-11-21 6 y ago modified 2026-08-04 3 mo ago also EUVD-2019-16251
- cvss
- 6.5
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Exploited
- added 2025-06-25, used in ransomware
- epss
- 6.6%
- EPSS 6.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 93%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
Use of a hard-coded cryptographic key to cipher sensitive data in FortiOS configuration backup file may allow an attacker with access to the backup file to decipher the sensitive data, via knowledge of the hard-coded key. The aforementioned sensitive data includes users' passwords (except the administrator's password), private keys' passphrases and High Availability password (when set).
Patch / fix
cisa required action Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Timeline
- Published
- CISA SSVC: exploitation active
- Added to CISA KEV
- CISA patch deadline
Known exploited
- Added
- 16 mo ago
- Patch by
- 2025-07-16 (15 mo ago)
- Ransomware
- Known to be used in ransomware campaigns
- Required action
- Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Vendor, product
- Fortinet, FortiOS
- CISA name
- Fortinet FortiOS Use of Hard-Coded Credentials Vulnerability
Ransomware
Groups reported to have exploited it in intrusions.
- Akira ransomware gang
reported by stairwell.com
Ransomware Vulnerability Matrix by BushidoUK (github.com/BushidoUK/Ransomware-Vulnerability-Matrix), reformatted per CVE. CC BY 4.0
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- Active, exploited in the wild
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- partial
- Assessed
- 16 mo ago
Exploit prediction
6.64% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 93% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA ADP | 3.1 | 6.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| NVD | 3.1 | 6.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| CNA | 3.1 | 6.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| NVD | 2.0 | 4.0 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N |
Affected products
- Fortinet FortiGate
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials
- Technology feeds
References
-
fortiguard.com
/advisory/FG-IR-19-007
mitigation, vendor-advisory
-
cisa.gov
/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-6693
government-resource, us-government-resource
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2019-6693
- NVD CVE-2019-6693
Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.