FortiSIEM 7.4.2 OVA – “Authentication token manipulation error” on first login

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
November 24, 2025
2 replies
486 views

Hi,

After deploying the official FortiSIEM 7.4.2 OVA downloaded from the Fortinet Support Portal, the first console login as root using the default credentials succeeds, then prompts for a password change. When entering the new password, the process fails with:

Authentication token manipulation error

Could you please advise on the correct procedure to proceed or confirm if this is a known issue in the 7.4.2 OVA (Rocky Linux 8.10 build)?

Please see the screenshot below for reference:

Fortisiem

AEK

SuperUser

Hi Dr. M

This is Linux related error and can be due to FS in RO state full root partition or other reasons.

I'd suggest to retry just reboot, and if it doesn't help then redo the installation as described in this doc.

https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortisiem/7.4.2/esx-installation-guide/131018/fresh-installation

PS: If this is a production environment then you better use version 7.3.5 or 7.2.7.

AEK

Richie_C

Staff

Hi @DrM

In my experience this usually caused by getting the password wrong if its the first time login. It can be confusing, but you need to enter the default password twice. Try the following:

username - root

password - <default password>

Current password <default password again>

You will be then prompted to create a new password.

I hope that helps.

Thanks

isankar

New Member

Thank you! I was about to give up and this worked

Sign up

Login with SSO

Login to the community

Login with SSO

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded