Fortinet FortiOS/FortiSwitchManager CAPWAP heap overflow, CISA KEV 2026-09-09, actively exploited since July 2026 via the PivotC2 RAT

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network. The weakness in the system can be a software bug, a temporary glitch, or a misconfiguration.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may abuse PowerShell commands and scripts for execution. PowerShell is a powerful interactive command-line interface and scripting environment included in the Windows operating system. Adversaries can use PowerShell to perform a number of actions, including discovery of information and execution of code. Examples include the <code>Start-Process</code> cmdlet which can be used to run an executable and the <code>Invoke-Command</code> cmdlet which runs a command locally or on a remote computer (though administrator permissions are required to use PowerShell to connect to remote systems).

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may inject portable executables (PE) into processes in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. PE injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit. This is common behavior that can be used across different platforms and the network to evade defenses.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may inject portable executables (PE) into processes in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. PE injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials. These can be files created by users to store their own credentials, shared credential stores for a group of individuals, configuration files containing passwords for a system or service, or source code/binary files containing embedded passwords.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of services running on remote hosts and local network infrastructure devices, including those that may be vulnerable to remote software exploitation. Common methods to acquire this information include port, vulnerability, and/or wordlist scans using tools that are brought onto a system.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to log into a computer using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may use a connection proxy to direct network traffic between systems or act as an intermediary for network communications to a command and control server to avoid direct connections to their infrastructure. Many tools exist that enable traffic redirection through proxies or port redirection, including HTRAN, ZXProxy, and ZXPortMap. Adversaries use these types of proxies to manage command and control communications, reduce the number of simultaneous outbound network connections, provide resiliency in the face of connection loss, or to ride over existing trusted communications paths between victims to avoid suspicion. Adversaries may chain together multiple proxies to further disguise the source of malicious traffic.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗

Adversaries may exfiltrate data to a cloud storage service rather than over their primary command and control channel. Cloud storage services allow for the storage, edit, and retrieval of data from a remote cloud storage server over the Internet.

Evidence: 2026-09-10/cve-2025-25249-fortinet-fortios-capwap-pivotc2-rat · ATT&CK page ↗