CVE-2021-43081 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-43081, a medium severity vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy versions. Understand the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An improper neutralization of input during web page generation vulnerability in FortiOS and FortiProxy versions may lead to an XSS attack.
Understanding CVE-2021-43081
This CVE pertains to a vulnerability in Fortinet's FortiOS and FortiProxy products that could allow an attacker to perform an XSS attack.
What is CVE-2021-43081?
CVE-2021-43081 involves an improper neutralization of input during web page generation vulnerability in specific versions of FortiOS and FortiProxy. This vulnerability may be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to perform a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack using crafted HTTP GET requests.
The Impact of CVE-2021-43081
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity, with a CVSS base score of 6.1. It requires user interaction and can result in the execution of unauthorized code.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-43081
This section provides more in-depth technical details of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves improper input neutralization during web page generation, potentially leading to cross-site scripting attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
- FortiOS version 7.0.3 and below, 6.4.8 and below, 6.2.10 and below, 6.0.14 to 6.0.0
- FortiProxy version 7.0.1 and below, 2.0.7 to 2.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker via crafted HTTP GET requests.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2021-43081 with the following measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply relevant security patches provided by Fortinet.
- Monitor and filter input data to prevent malicious content.
- Educate users about safe browsing practices to mitigate XSS risks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Fortinet products to the latest versions.
- Implement web application firewalls to filter and block malicious traffic.
- Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely patching and updating of FortiOS and FortiProxy to eliminate the vulnerability.