CVE-2023-37936: A use of hard-coded cryptographic key in Fortinet FortiSwitch version 7.4.0 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.5 and 7.0.0

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-37936?

fortiswitch: upgrade to 6.2.8, 6.4.14, 7.0.8, 7.2.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-37936 being exploited?

CVE-2023-37936 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2023-37936 affect?

CVE-2023-37936 affects fortiswitch. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A use of hard-coded cryptographic key in Fortinet FortiSwitch version 7.4.0 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.5 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.7 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.13 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.7 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.7 allows attacker to execute unauthorized cod

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-37936?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-37936 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting fortiswitch. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A use of hard-coded cryptographic key in Fortinet FortiSwitch version 7.4.0 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.5 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.7 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.13 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.7 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.7 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via crafted requests.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-321, CWE-798
Published	2025-01-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Fortinet, Inc. · Vendor: fortinet

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-01-14 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

fortinet fortiswitch UPGRADE

Affected: >= 6.0.0 and < 6.2.8 · >= 6.4.0 and < 6.4.14 · >= 7.0.0 and < 7.0.8 · >= 7.2.0 and < 7.2.6 · 7.4.0

Fixed in: 6.2.8, 6.4.14, 7.0.8, 7.2.6

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-37936?

fortiswitch: upgrade to 6.2.8, 6.4.14, 7.0.8, 7.2.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-37936 being exploited?

CVE-2023-37936 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-37936 affect?

CVE-2023-37936 affects fortiswitch. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A use of hard-coded cryptographic key in Fortinet FortiSwitch version 7.4.0 and 7.2.0 through 7.2.5 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.7 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.13 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.7 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.7 allows attacker to execute unauthorized cod

How urgent is CVE-2023-37936?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Fortinet vulnerabilities

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References

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