Vulnerability Alert: CVE-2025-25257: Pre-Auth SQL Injection to Full RCE in Fortinet FortiWeb Fabric Connector

The Problem: SQL Injection That Doesn’t Stop at SQL

CVE-2025-25257 is a critical vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb Fabric Connector. It allows unauthenticated SQL injection, which attackers escalate into remote code execution (RCE) on affected appliances.

• ‍Why it matters: This isn’t your typical database exfiltration. Here, the injected SQL statements pivot directly into OS-level command execution.
  
• Impact: Attackers can achieve root-level access to the appliance with a single crafted HTTP request.‍
• Exploitation timeline: Public exploit code is already available; scanning activity started within 24 hours of disclosure.

Attack Breakdown

The vulnerability resides in the Fabric Connector’s pre-auth code path, where user-controlled parameters are interpolated directly into SQL queries without sanitization.

Example attack pattern (simplified):

POST /api/v2/cmdb/system/fabric/connector HTTP/1.1
Host: target.com
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "exploit",
  "type": "generic",
  "description": "'; SELECT pg_sleep(5)--"
}

Step by step:

1. Unauthenticated request hits the Fabric Connector endpoint.
   
2. SQL injection executes inside the backend database.
   

Attackers chain the injection to drop into system commands via database functions → remote shell.

Who is at Risk

• Fortinet FortiWeb appliances running vulnerable Fabric Connector code.
• Internet-exposed FortiWeb instances are at highest risk, particularly where Fabric integration features are enabled.

Recommended Actions for AppSec Teams

Priority 1

• Patch immediately to the fixed release provided by Fortinet.
  
• Block Fabric Connector endpoints at the network edge if patching takes time.
  

Priority 2

• Search inventories for FortiWeb components, both physical and virtual appliances.
  
• Review logs for:
  
  • Delays caused by pg_sleep or similar DB timing functions.
    
  • Unusual connector configuration changes.
    

Priority 3

• If Fabric Connector isn’t required, disable it until fully patched.
• Restrict management plane access to trusted networks.

Incident Response Checklist

1. Contain: Isolate compromised appliances. Snapshot storage for forensics.
   
2. Investigate:
   
   • Check for commands executed via database function abuse.
     
   • Look for persistence (cron jobs, systemd services) on the FortiWeb OS.
     
3. Eradicate & Recover: Rebuild from a clean firmware image. Apply latest patches.‍
4. Hunt for Indicators: Identify abnormal SQL queries or shell execution patterns linked to Fabric Connector API calls.

How Kodem Protects Customers

• Kodem SCA instantly identifies:
  
  1. Where the vulnerable FortiWeb package exists.
     
  2. Where it’s actively running in production.
     
  3. Which instances are reachable and exploitable from the internet.
     
• Runtime defense: Our exploit trigger detection (eBPF + memory introspection) catches command execution chains initiated from SQL injection payloads.
  
• Attack path intelligence: Kodem correlates the original HTTP request with downstream DB function calls and resulting shell execution, giving security teams full visibility.
• Exploitation attempts flagged in near real-time, mitigation applied, and future exploit activity continuously monitored.

Key Takeaways

• Pre-auth vulnerabilities remain the fastest path to full compromise.
  
• SQL injection is not just about data theft anymore—it’s a delivery vehicle for remote shells.
  
• Traditional scanners stop at “SQL injection detected.” Modern security requires runtime exploit detection and attack path analysis.
  

Reality check

If you only see SQL queries in a report, you’re missing the system compromise happening seconds later.

References

• Ampcus Cyber. (2025, July). Pre-Auth SQL Injection in FortiWeb Fabric Connector Enables Full RCE. Retrieved from https://www.ampcuscyber.com/shadowopsintel/pre-auth-sql-injection-in-fortiweb-fabric-connector-enables-full-rce/
  
• SOC Prime. (2025, July). CVE-2025-25257 SQL Injection Vulnerability. Retrieved from https://socprime.com/blog/cve-2025-25257-sql-injection-vulnerability/‍
• WatchTowr Labs. (2025, July). Pre-Auth SQL Injection to RCE in Fortinet FortiWeb Fabric Connector. Retrieved from https://labs.watchtowr.com/pre-auth-sql-injection-to-rce-fortinet-fortiweb-fabric-connector-cve-2025-25257/