---
title: "CISA Warns of Actively Exploited Fortinet Vulnerability CVE-2025-59718"
short_title: "CISA adds critical Fortinet flaw to KEV Catalog"
description: "CISA has added CVE-2025-59718, a critical Fortinet cryptographic signature flaw, to its KEV Catalog due to active exploitation. Learn mitigation steps now."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [cisa, fortinet, cve-2025-59718, kev-catalog, cybersecurity]
score: 0.85
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-59718]
---
TL;DR
CISA has added CVE-2025-59718, a critical Fortinet cryptographic signature verification vulnerability, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog after confirming active exploitation. Federal agencies must patch immediately, while all organizations are urged to prioritize remediation to mitigate risks.
---
Main Content
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has escalated its response to a critical security flaw in Fortinet products by adding CVE-2025-59718 to its [Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog). This move follows evidence of active exploitation in the wild, posing significant risks to federal agencies and private sector organizations alike.
Key Points
- CVE-2025-59718 involves an improper verification of cryptographic signatures in multiple Fortinet products, making it a prime target for malicious cyber actors.
- Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01 mandates Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to remediate this vulnerability by the specified due date to protect networks from active threats.
- While BOD 22-01 applies only to federal agencies, CISA strongly recommends all organizations prioritize patching this vulnerability to reduce exposure to cyberattacks.
- This vulnerability is a frequent attack vector and could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or further compromise of affected systems.
---
Technical Details
CVE-2025-59718 is classified as an improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability. Cryptographic signatures are used to verify the authenticity and integrity of software updates, communications, or critical operations. If these signatures are not properly verified, attackers can bypass security controls, inject malicious code, or execute unauthorized actions on vulnerable systems.
Fortinet products affected by this vulnerability include multiple solutions, though specific versions and products are not yet publicly detailed. Organizations using Fortinet technologies are advised to monitor official advisories for updates and patching guidance.
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Impact Assessment
The inclusion of CVE-2025-59718 in the KEV Catalog underscores its high severity and active exploitation. The potential impact includes:
- Unauthorized system access: Attackers could exploit the flaw to gain control of affected Fortinet devices.
- Lateral movement: Compromised devices could serve as entry points for further attacks within a network.
- Data breaches: Sensitive information stored or transmitted through vulnerable systems may be at risk.
- Disruption of operations: Successful exploitation could lead to downtime or degradation of critical services.
Federal agencies are particularly vulnerable, as failure to remediate the flaw by the deadline could result in compliance violations under BOD 22-01.
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Mitigation Steps
To address CVE-2025-59718, organizations should take the following actions:
1. Apply patches immediately: Fortinet is expected to release updates to address this vulnerability. Apply them as soon as they become available.
2. Monitor network traffic: Use intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to identify and block exploitation attempts.
3. Review access controls: Ensure only authorized personnel can interact with Fortinet devices and systems.
4. Conduct vulnerability scans: Regularly scan networks for signs of exploitation or misconfigurations.
5. Follow CISA guidance: Refer to the [KEV Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog) and [BOD 22-01 Fact Sheet](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Reducing_the_Significant_Risk_of_Known_Exploited_Vulnerabilities_211103.pdf) for additional recommendations.
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Conclusion
The addition of CVE-2025-59718 to CISA’s KEV Catalog highlights the urgent need for organizations to address this critical Fortinet vulnerability. With evidence of active exploitation, the risks are immediate and severe. Federal agencies must act swiftly to comply with BOD 22-01, while private sector organizations should prioritize patching and monitoring to safeguard their networks.
Stay vigilant, apply updates promptly, and leverage CISA’s resources to mitigate this threat effectively.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/12/16/cisa-adds-one-known-exploited-vulnerability-catalog)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: CVE. "[CVE-2025-59718 Detail](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-59718)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: CISA. "[Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.