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CVE Record

CVE-2022-23438: An improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('Cross-site Scripting') [CWE-79] vulnerabil...

An improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('Cross-site Scripting') [CWE-79] vulnerability in FortiOS version 7.0.5 and prior and 6.4.9 and prior may allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a reflected cross site scripting (XSS) attack in the captive portal authentication replacement page.

MediumCVSS 4.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-23438 is a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in Fortinet FortiOS captive portal pages. An attacker could trick a user into interacting with malicious content and run script in that user’s browser. The business risk is limited but real where affected FortiOS versions expose captive portal workflows.

Executive priority

Handle this as a moderate-priority FortiOS hygiene item. It is not reported as actively exploited in the provided sources, but affected captive portals can create user-facing script execution risk and should be remediated through Fortinet guidance.

Technical view

The issue is CWE-79 improper input neutralization during web page generation in FortiOS 7.0.5 and prior and 6.4.9 and prior. It affects the captive portal authentication replacement page. CVSS 3.1 is 4.7, with network access, high attack complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, and low confidentiality/integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in organizations running affected FortiOS 7.0.x or 6.4.x releases where captive portal authentication replacement pages are used or reachable by users.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS vector marks exploit maturity as unproven and requires user interaction, so treat this as a targeted phishing-assisted web risk rather than an autonomous compromise path.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Fortinet advisory reference. Do not assume broader Fortinet products are affected. Validation should focus on FortiOS version exposure and captive portal use, not generic Fortinet web interfaces.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory FortiOS appliances and identify versions 7.0.5 and prior or 6.4.9 and prior.
  • Review Fortinet PSIRT FG-IR-21-057 for the vendor-approved fixed release or workaround.
  • Prioritize remediation on internet-facing or user-facing captive portal deployments.
  • Limit exposure of captive portal pages where operationally possible until remediated.
  • Monitor Fortinet advisories for updated remediation or exploitation information.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm FortiOS version on each Fortinet appliance.
  • Determine whether captive portal authentication replacement pages are enabled or reachable.
  • Check change records for remediation aligned to Fortinet PSIRT FG-IR-21-057.
  • Review web security logs for unusual captive portal interaction patterns.
  • Verify no unsupported FortiOS versions remain in scope.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-23438 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:W/RC:U

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.7CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:W/RC:U1.62.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.7Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-23438Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:W/RC:U

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
FortinetFortinet FortiOSFortiOS 7.0.5, 7.0.4, 7.0.3, 7.0.2, 7.0.1, 7.0.0, 6.4.9, 6.4.8, 6.4.7, 6.4.6, 6.4.5, 6.4.4, 6.4.3, 6.4.2, 6.4.1, 6.4.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.