CVE-2021-26095 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2021-26095 involves multiple cryptographic issues in the session management of Fortinet FortiMail versions 6.4.0 through 6.4.4 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.6, potentially allowing a remote attacker to manipulate session cookies and escalate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-26095

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-26095 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-26095?

The CVE-2021-26095 vulnerability arises from cryptographic weaknesses in FortiMail's session management, enabling a malicious actor with a session cookie to expose, modify, or forge its contents, leading to privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-26095

The impact of CVE-2021-26095 is significant, with a CVSS base score of 7.5 (High severity) due to its potential to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability, further enhancing its severity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-26095

Understanding the technical aspects of CVE-2021-26095 is crucial for effectively addressing and mitigating the security risk.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves cryptographic issues in FortiMail's session management, specifically in the encryption process of session cookies. This flaw allows attackers in possession of a cookie to compromise its content.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fortinet FortiMail versions 6.4.0 through 6.4.4 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.6 are impacted by CVE-2021-26095. Organizations using these versions are at risk of exploitation and privilege escalation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability remotely, leveraging the weaknesses in session cookie encryption to reveal, modify, or forge its content. This manipulation enables attackers to elevate their privileges within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate mitigation steps and implementing long-term security practices are essential to safeguard systems against CVE-2021-26095.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches released by Fortinet promptly to address the cryptographic vulnerabilities in FortiMail versions 6.4.0 through 6.4.4 and 6.2.0 through 6.2.6. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access control measures, regularly updating security configurations, and conducting security audits can enhance the overall security posture of the organization. Employee training on cybersecurity best practices is also crucial for preventing successful attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring Fortinet's security advisories and promptly applying patches for known vulnerabilities is vital to ensuring system security and resilience against emerging threats.