CVE-2025-68686

CVE-2025-68686 is a sensitive-information-exposure flaw (CWE-200) in Fortinet FortiOS that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to bypass the vendor's patch for the symbolic-link (symlink) persistency mechanism seen in some post-exploitation cases. It is triggered by crafted HTTP requests sent to a device that has already been compromised through another vulnerability at the filesystem level, for example where symlinks were planted to maintain access to files. By bypassing the patch, the attacker can keep retrieving sensitive information from an otherwise remediated FortiGate device. Any organization running an affected FortiOS release is potentially affected; the CISA data does not enumerate specific versions, so administrators should consult Fortinet's advisory for the affected branches. The flaw was added to CISA's KEV catalog on 2026-07-27, confirming real-world exploitation, and EPSS assigns a 29.6% probability of exploitation within 30 days (98th percentile), with ransomware use currently unknown.

What to do: Patch affected FortiOS devices per Fortinet's current advisory, following BOD 26-04 timelines for federal agencies (apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use where mitigations are unavailable). Because this flaw defeats the earlier symlink-persistence fix, re-check previously remediated devices for residual or recreated symlinks and hunt for indicators of prior filesystem-level compromise, such as unexpected symlinks and anomalous SSL-VPN activity. Review logs for crafted HTTP requests and prioritize internet-facing FortiGate assets for patching and triage.