CVE-2021-44168 Fortinet FortiOS: software flaw
In plain words: A mistake in the software that attackers have found a way to abuse. Depends on the product — see the description and the vendor advisory.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Dec 24, 2021
What to do
- Install Fortinet's security update for FortiOS. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Patch edge devices first — attackers often start scanning for them within hours of a fix.
- Never expose the device's admin page to the internet.
- After patching a device that was exposed, follow the vendor's compromise checks, end active sessions and change passwords.
Who is affected
Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.
What's at risk: They face the internet and guard the whole network, so a flaw here can hand attackers a way in — and these devices usually run no antivirus, so break-ins go unnoticed.
The details
- Official name
- Fortinet FortiOS Arbitrary File Download
- Product
- Fortinet FortiOS
- CISA description
- Fortinet FortiOS "execute restore src-vis" downloads code without integrity checking, allowing an attacker to arbitrarily download files.
- Type of flaw
- Software flaw (CWE-494)
- Confirmed exploited
- Dec 10, 2021
- US federal patch deadline
- Dec 24, 2021
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Answering about CVE-2021-44168 ·
Questions about CVE-2021-44168
Is CVE-2021-44168 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-44168 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Dec 10, 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2021-44168?
Install Fortinet's security update for FortiOS. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Patch edge devices first — attackers often start scanning for them within hours of a fix.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-44168?
Only if you use Fortinet FortiOS. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.