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Forticlient CVE-2021-42754

MEDIUM
Code Injection (CWE-94)
2021-11-02 psirt@fortinet.com
5.0
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Code injection prevention, sandbox exec
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Initial Access

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 5.0 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A local attacker with access to the system could inject and execute arbitrary code within the application.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
No patch listed yet 0.4% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

An improper control of generation of code vulnerability [CWE-94] in FortiClientMacOS versions 7.0.0 and below and 6.4.5 and below may allow an authenticated attacker to hijack the MacOS camera. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Never evaluate user-controlled input as code. Use sandboxing, disable dangerous functions, apply strict input validation.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Code Injection (CWE-94), which allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application. An improper control of generation of code vulnerability [CWE-94] in FortiClientMacOS versions 7.0.0 and below and 6.4.5 and below may allow an authenticated attacker to hijack the MacOS camera without the user permission via the malicious dylib file. Affected products include: Fortinet Forticlient.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 5.0 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None

DescriptionNVD

An improper control of generation of code vulnerability [CWE-94] in FortiClientMacOS versions 7.0.0 and below and 6.4.5 and below may allow an authenticated attacker to hijack the MacOS camera without the user permission via the malicious dylib file.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.4%
Top 67% exploitable
Data Quality
2 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.4%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

25
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +25
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Code Injection CRITICAL

Code injection occurs when an application accepts user input and passes it directly into a language interpreter or evaluator without proper sanitization.

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:7.0.0:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
CVE-2017-7344 HIGH POC
8.1 Dec 14

A privilege escalation in Fortinet FortiClient Windows 5.4.3 and earlier as well as 5.6.0 allows attacker to gain privil

CVE-2015-5736 HIGH POC
7.2 Sep 03

The Fortishield.sys driver in Fortinet FortiClient before 5.2.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with kernel

CVE-2024-3661 HIGH POC
7.6 May 06

DHCP can add routes to a client’s routing table via the classless static route option (121). Rated high severity (CVSS 7

CVE-2019-5589 HIGH
8.8 May 28

DLL search-path hijacking in the FortiClient Online Installer for Windows (all versions before 6.0.6) lets an attacker w

CVE-2017-14184 HIGH
8.8 Dec 15

An Information Disclosure vulnerability in Fortinet FortiClient for Windows 5.6.0 and below versions, FortiClient for Ma

CVE-2015-1453 MEDIUM POC
5.0 Feb 02

The qm class in Fortinet FortiClient 5.2.3.091 for Android uses a hardcoded encryption key of FoRtInEt!AnDrOiD, which ma

CVE-2016-8493 HIGH
8.8 Jun 26

In FortiClientWindows 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, an attacker may escalate privilege via a FortiClientNamedPipe vulnerability. Rate

CVE-2024-36513 HIGH
8.8 Nov 12

A privilege context switching error vulnerability [CWE-270] in FortiClient Windows version 7.2.4 and below, version 7.0.

CVE-2015-1570 MEDIUM POC
4.3 Feb 10

The Endpoint Control protocol implementation in Fortinet FortiClient 5.2.3.091 for Android and 5.2.028 for iOS does not

CVE-2015-1569 MEDIUM POC
4.3 Feb 10

Fortinet FortiClient 5.2.028 for iOS does not validate certificates, which makes it easier for man-in-the-middle attacke

CVE-2026-70465 HIGH
8.1 Aug 12

Remote code execution in Fortinet FortiClientWindows affects versions 7.2.0-7.2.11 and 7.4.0-7.4.3, exploitable by any a

CVE-2023-45588 HIGH
8.2 Mar 14

An external control of file name or path vulnerability [CWE-73] in FortiClientMac version 7.2.3 and below, version 7.0.1

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