CVE-2021-36181 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-36181, a 'Race Condition' vulnerability in Fortinet FortiPortal before 6.0.6. Learn about the exploitation, impact, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability labeled as CVE-2021-36181 has been identified in the customer database interface of Fortinet FortiPortal before version 6.0.6. This vulnerability may allow an authenticated, low-privilege user to manipulate the database and potentially disrupt its consistency.
Understanding CVE-2021-36181
In this section, we will delve deeper into the details of CVE-2021-36181.
What is CVE-2021-36181?
The vulnerability, termed as a 'Race Condition,' is caused by concurrent execution using shared resources with improper Synchronization in the customer database interface of FortiPortal before version 6.0.6. The flaw can be exploited by a low-privileged authenticated user through specific coordination of web requests.
The Impact of CVE-2021-36181
Despite having a low severity base score of 3.1, the vulnerability can result in the underlying database data being manipulated into an inconsistent state. This can lead to potential disruptions and inconsistencies in the database.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-36181
Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-36181 to understand its implications better.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to improper synchronization, allowing a low-privileged user to disrupt the database consistency through specific web request coordination.
Affected Systems and Versions
Fortinet FortiPortal versions before 6.0.6 are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
An authenticated, low-privilege user can exploit the vulnerability by executing specific web requests, triggering a 'Race Condition' in the database.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2021-36181 is crucial to maintaining system security.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to update the FortiPortal software to version 6.0.6 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.
Long-Term Security Practices
Enforcing least privilege access, monitoring database activities, and maintaining software updates are essential for long-term security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security updates and patches provided by Fortinet to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.