Is CVE-2026-44278 exploited in the wild?

No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44278 being exploited in the wild.

How severe is CVE-2026-44278?

Low severity, with a CVSS score of 2.3, published 12 May 2026.

Which products and versions are affected?

Fortinet FortiClient Windows 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2 all versions.

Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44278?

No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

How is CVE-2026-44278 attacked?

It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

Am I affected by CVE-2026-44278?

Check whether you run Fortinet Forticlient, Fortinet FortiClient for Windows or Fortinet FortiClient Windows at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

CVE-2026-44278: Fortinet FortiClientWindows hard-coded cryptographic key in GUI

CVE-2026-44278 · Severity: low · CVSS 2.3 · Published 2026-05-12

FortiClient is an endpoint security application used to provide secure VPN access to corporate networks. A security flaw in the Windows version of this software could allow a local attacker with high privileges to recover saved VPN passwords. This could lead to unauthorized access to the corporate network if the attacker manages to compromise a user's workstation.

Technologies: Fortinet Forticlient. Vendors: Fortinet.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-44278 exploited in the wild?: No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44278 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-44278?: Low severity, with a CVSS score of 2.3, published 12 May 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?: Fortinet FortiClient Windows 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2 all versions.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44278?: No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-44278 attacked?: It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-44278?: Check whether you run Fortinet Forticlient, Fortinet FortiClient for Windows or Fortinet FortiClient Windows at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A use of a hard-coded cryptographic key (CWE-321) and missing authorization (CWE-862) exists in the FortiClient Windows GUI component. The vulnerability stems from an unprotected DLL function that utilizes a static key for encrypting saved VPN credentials. An authenticated local attacker with high privileges (PR:H) can exploit this to decrypt the VPN password of the currently logged-in user. The issue affects FortiClientWindows versions 7.4.0 through 7.4.2 and all versions of 7.2. Users are advised to upgrade to version 7.4.3 or later.

Affected products

Fortinet FortiClientWindows 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2 all versions

Timeline

2026-05-12: disclosed
2026-05-12: advisory

References

https://fortiguard.fortinet.com/psirt/FG-IR-26-129

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