Fortinet FortiOS Missing Integrity Check Arbitrary File Download and Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2021-44168) Security Advisory
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTFortiOS versions prior to 7.0.3 utilizing the 'execute restore src-vis' command
A local authenticated attacker can download arbitrary files onto the device via specially crafted update packages, compromising system integrity
Immediately upgrade FortiOS to version 7.0.3 or higher, and restrict local administrator CLI privileges
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
According to Fortinet's official advisory, administrators must upgrade FortiOS to version 7.0.3 or later. Use the following CLI commands to perform a secure firmware upgrade:
# Verify the current FortiOS version
get system status
# Download and restore the secure firmware image via TFTP
execute restore image tftp FGT_60F-v7.0.3-build0326-FORTINET.out 192.168.1.992. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, restrict CLI access and enforce strict administrative access controls:
# Restrict administrative profiles to read-only where applicable
config system admin
edit 'limited_admin'
set accprofile 'read-only'
next
end
# Configure Trusted Hosts to restrict administrative access to specific IP ranges
config system admin
edit 'admin'
set trusthost1 10.200.1.0 255.255.255.0
next
end3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Audit the system event logs regularly to detect unauthorized or suspicious execution of restore commands:
# Filter and display event logs related to 'restore' commands
execute log filter category event
execute log filter field msg 'restore'
execute log displayStop Exposing VPN Ports to the Internet — Switch to Zero-Trust Access
Eliminate public-facing VPN concentrators and firewall management ports with identity-first Zero-Trust Network Access.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2021-44168) exists in Fortinet FortiOS due to a failure to perform proper integrity verification on downloaded packages during the execution of the 'execute restore src-vis' command (CWE-494). The lack of digital signature or cryptographic hash validation allows the system to accept and process arbitrary files from untrusted sources.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker who has already obtained local authenticated access (such as a low-privileged administrator or read-only CLI user) can trigger the vulnerability. By executing the 'execute restore src-vis' command and pointing to a specially crafted update package containing malicious payloads, the attacker forces the system to download and write arbitrary files to the local filesystem without validation, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system modification.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
FortiOS serves as the backbone for enterprise perimeter security, including firewalls and VPN gateways. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to compromise the integrity of the security appliance, potentially establishing persistent backdoors or extracting sensitive configuration data. Given its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog, this vulnerability poses a high risk of lateral movement and infrastructure-wide compromise.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
A download of code without integrity check vulnerability in the "execute restore src-vis" command of FortiOS before 7.0.3 may allow a local authenticated attacker to download arbitrary files on the device via specially crafted update packages.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2021-44168)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2021-44168 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2021-44168 is rated CVSS 7.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 0.9%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2021-44168?
Primary impacted vendors include fortinet across fortios. Scope summary: All FortiOS versions prior to 7.0.3 (e.g., 7.0.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2)
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2021-44168 before patching?
[Mitigation] Immediately upgrade FortiOS to version 7.0.3 or higher, and restrict local administrator CLI privileges Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2021-44168
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