IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.2
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2023-0669|Auth: high — administrative privileges|Reboot: required|Manual only

Fortra GoAnywhere MFT Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Fortra (formerly, HelpSystems) GoAnywhere MFT contains a pre-authentication remote code execution vulnerability in the License Response Servlet due to deserializing an attacker-controlled object.

Published Feb 6, 2023 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with administrative privileges, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-03-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Fortra GoAnywhere MFT. Fortra (formerly, HelpSystems) GoAnywhere MFT suffers from a pre-authentication command injection vulnerability in the License Response Servlet due to deserializing an arbitrary attacker-controlled object. This issue was patched in version 7.1.2. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, an administrative account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running goanywhere managed file transfer: v < 7.1.2
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Used in known ransomware campaigns. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171789/Goanywhere-Encryption-Helper-7.1.1-Remote-Code-Execution.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17607
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0669
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-0669
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