CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-36513NVD status: Analyzed

FortiClientWindows: Privilege Context Switching Error

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-36513 is a high-severity privilege context switching error vulnerability in FortiClientWindows from Fortinet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 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 FortiClientWindows versions: 7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.12; 6.4.0 through 6.4.10. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.22% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Forticlient to 7.0.13 or 7.2.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on fortiguard.fortinet.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
FortinetFortiClientWindows7.2.0 through 7.2.4; 7.0.0 through 7.0.12; 6.4.0 through 6.4.10Not stated
FortinetForticlient6.4.0 through 6.4.10; 7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.13; 7.2.0 up to, but not including, 7.2.57.0.13, 7.2.5

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
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
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:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.2HighCNA (fortinet.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

A privilege context switching error vulnerability [CWE-270] in FortiClient Windows version 7.2.4 and below, version 7.0.12 and below, 6.4 all versions may allow an authenticated user to escalate their privileges via lua auto patch scripts.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Privilege Context Switching Error

The product does not properly manage privileges while it is switching between different contexts that have different privileges or spheres of control.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
  • 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.
  • Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.

More Privilege Context Switching Error vulnerabilities (CWE-270)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in FortiClientWindows

All FortiClientWindows vulnerabilities

Recent Privilege Context Switching Error vulnerabilities

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