Fortinet FortiOS Arbitrary File Download
CVE-2021-44168 is a high-severity download of code without integrity check vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Fortinet FortiOS versions: FortiOS before 7.0.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on December 10, 2021, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Fortios to 6.0.14 or 6.2.10 or 6.4.8 or 7.0.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on fortiguard.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortinet | Fortinet FortiOS | FortiOS before 7.0.3 | Not stated |
| Fortinet | Fortios | before 6.0.14; 6.2.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.10; 6.4.0 up to, but not including, 6.4.8; 7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.3 | 6.0.14, 6.2.10, 6.4.8, 7.0.3 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 3.3 | Low | CNA (fortinet.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.6 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
A download of code without integrity check vulnerability in the "execute restore src-vis" command of FortiOS before 7.0.3 may allow a local authenticated attacker to download arbitrary files on the device via specially crafted update packages.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Download of Code Without Integrity Check
The product downloads source code or an executable from a remote location and executes the code without sufficiently verifying the origin and integrity of the code.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Perform proper forward and reverse DNS lookups to detect DNS spoofing.
- Encrypt the code with a reliable encryption scheme before transmitting.
- Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
More Download of Code Without Integrity Check vulnerabilities (CWE-494)
Timeline
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-44168US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Fortinet FortiOS
- 7.5 High severity
- 6.5 Medium severity
Fortinet FortiOS Default Configuration Exploited
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