CVE-2021-26111 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-26111, a vulnerability in Fortinet FortiSwitch allowing adjacent network attackers to exhaust memory via crafted packets. Learn mitigation steps and affected versions.
A detailed overview of CVE-2021-26111, a vulnerability in Fortinet FortiSwitch that could lead to memory exhaustion when handling specific network packets.
Understanding CVE-2021-26111
This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-26111.
What is CVE-2021-26111?
The CVE-2021-26111 vulnerability affects Fortinet FortiSwitch versions 6.4.0 to 6.4.6, 6.2.0 to 6.2.6, 6.0.0 to 6.0.6, 3.6.11, and below. It involves a missing release of memory after the effective lifetime of certain packets, allowing adjacent network attackers to exhaust available memory by sending specially crafted LLDP/CDP/EDP packets to the device.
The Impact of CVE-2021-26111
With a CVSS base score of 6.2 (Medium severity), this vulnerability poses a high availability impact, potentially enabling denial of service attacks by consuming device memory. The attack complexity is low, requiring no user privileges, and user interaction, confidentiality, and integrity remain unaffected.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-26111
This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the failure to release memory after the effective lifetime of specific packets, leading to memory exhaustion on the affected FortiSwitch devices.
Affected Systems and Versions
Fortinet FortiSwitch versions 6.4.0 to 6.4.6, 6.2.0 to 6.2.6, 6.0.0 to 6.0.6, 3.6.11, and below are susceptible to this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers on an adjacent network can exploit this issue by sending malicious LLDP/CDP/EDP packets crafted to exhaust the device's memory.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2021-26111 to secure your systems effectively.
Immediate Steps to Take
To mitigate the risk, disable or restrict access to affected devices, apply vendor patches, and monitor network traffic for anomalous activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments to fortify your network against potential exploits.
Patching and Updates
Stay updated with security advisories from Fortinet and apply recommended patches promptly to eliminate vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.