CVE-2021-36195 : What You Need to Know

Multiple command injection vulnerabilities in the command line interpreter of FortiWeb versions 6.4.1, 6.4.0, 6.3.0 through 6.3.15, 6.2.0 through 6.2.6, and 6.1.0 through 6.1.2 may allow an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system shell via specially crafted command arguments.

Understanding CVE-2021-36195

This CVE involves multiple command injection vulnerabilities found in FortiWeb versions, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution.

What is CVE-2021-36195?

CVE-2021-36195 is a security vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb versions 6.4.1, 6.4.0, 6.3.0 through 6.3.15, 6.2.0 through 6.2.6, and 6.1.0 through 6.1.2 that may allow authenticated attackers to run arbitrary commands on the system's shell.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36195

The impact of this CVE is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 4.0. Attackers with high privileges can exploit these vulnerabilities to execute unauthorized commands, posing a risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36195

This section provides insights into the vulnerability's description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the command line interpreter of vulnerable FortiWeb versions, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious commands through specially crafted arguments.

Affected Systems and Versions

FortiWeb versions affected by this CVE include 6.4.1, 6.4.0, 6.3.0 through 6.3.15, 6.2.0 through 6.2.6, and 6.1.0 through 6.1.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers can leverage the command injection vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system shell, granting them unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your systems from CVE-2021-36195, immediate steps, security best practices, and patching are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches provided by Fortinet to mitigate the risk. Additionally, restricting access and monitoring for anomalous activities is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, conducting regular security assessments, and raising awareness among system users are essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories from Fortinet and promptly install patches to address CVE-2021-36195 and other potential vulnerabilities.