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CVE Record

CVE-2021-42754: An improper control of generation of code vulnerability [CWE-94] in FortiClientMacOS versions 7.0.0 and bel...

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.

LowCVSS 3.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This FortiClientMacOS issue could let a signed-in local attacker hijack a Mac camera without user permission using a malicious dynamic library. The reported severity is low because exploitation requires local access, low privileges, and user interaction, and the documented impact is limited to confidentiality.

Executive priority

Handle through normal vulnerability management, with added attention for executives or teams handling sensitive video meetings. The issue is privacy-relevant but has low technical severity and no provided evidence of active exploitation.

Technical view

CVE-2021-42754 is described as improper control of code generation in FortiClientMacOS. The supplied CVSS v3.1 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N, score 3.2. Affected versions include FortiClientMac 7.0.0 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.5 per the source bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to macOS endpoints running the listed FortiClientMac versions. Risk is higher on shared, high-trust, or executive devices where local authenticated access and camera privacy are material concerns.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The described attack needs authenticated local access, user interaction, and a malicious dylib file, so this is not presented as a remote unauthenticated enterprise-wide compromise.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow: one Fortinet advisory reference, CVE data, low CVSS, and no KEV signal. Do not assume broader FortiClient platforms are affected from this bundle. Research should focus on version confirmation, macOS client exposure, and vendor-stated fixed versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory macOS endpoints for affected FortiClientMac versions.
  • Review Fortinet FG-IR-21-079 for official remediation guidance.
  • Upgrade or replace affected clients if Fortinet provides a fixed release.
  • Restrict local user permissions where operationally feasible.
  • Treat unknown FortiClientMac versions as requiring vendor verification.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed FortiClientMac versions against the affected version list.
  • Check endpoint management data for macOS systems with FortiClient installed.
  • Validate remediation status against Fortinet advisory FG-IR-21-079.
  • Prioritize validation on executive and regulated-data workstations.
  • Document any unsupported or unverified client versions for follow-up.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2021-42754 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Low
CVSS
3.2 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:F/RL:X/RC:C

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
3.2CVSS 3.1LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:F/RL:X/RC:C1.51.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

3.2Low
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-42754Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:F/RL:X/RC:C

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
FortinetFortinet FortiClientMacFortiClientMac 7.0.0, 6.4.5, 6.4.4, 6.4.3, 6.4.2, 6.4.1, 6.4.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.