CVE-2021-36166 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An improper authentication vulnerability in FortiMail before version 7.0.1 allows a remote attacker to efficiently guess an administrative account's authentication token. This can be achieved through the observation of certain system properties.

Understanding CVE-2021-36166

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-36166 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-36166?

CVE-2021-36166 is an improper authentication vulnerability in FortiMail before version 7.0.1 that enables a remote attacker to guess an administrative account's authentication token.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36166

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.3, making it critical. It poses a high risk to confidentiality and integrity, with high availability impact as well.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36166

Explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-36166 below.

Vulnerability Description

An improper authentication flaw allows unauthorized remote access to critical system accounts, posing a serious security threat.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fortinet FortiMail versions before 7.0.1 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by analyzing specific system properties to guess an administrative account's authentication token.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-36166.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FortiMail to version 7.0.1 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual authentication activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.
Regularly audit and review access control policies to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates from Fortinet to protect your systems from emerging threats.