Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-43073 is a command injection flaw in Fortinet FortiWeb. A low-privileged attacker can send crafted HTTP requests that may run unauthorized commands on the affected appliance, creating a serious risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for FortiWeb environments. The issue can allow command execution after low-privilege access, which can turn a limited account compromise into appliance-level impact.
Technical view
The CVE describes improper neutralization of special elements in OS command handling in FortiWeb 6.4.1, 6.4.0, 6.3.15 and below, and 6.2.6 and below. CVSS 3.1 is 8.8 with network access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high CIA impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running the listed Fortinet FortiWeb versions, especially where FortiWeb management or affected HTTP paths are reachable by authenticated low-privileged users.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS vector includes E:P, indicating proof-of-concept exploit maturity, but no public exploit details are included here.
Researcher notes
The bundle lacks detailed Fortinet advisory text, fixed version numbers, and affected endpoint specifics. Do not assume exploit paths beyond crafted HTTP requests. Validate using version inventory and vendor advisory data.
Mitigation direction
- Check FortiGuard advisory FG-IR-21-180 for fixed releases and vendor instructions.
- Upgrade or replace FortiWeb versions listed as affected by the CVE.
- Restrict access to FortiWeb administrative and sensitive HTTP interfaces where possible.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or broadly reachable FortiWeb appliances.
Validation and detection
- Inventory FortiWeb appliances and record exact software versions.
- Flag FortiWeb 6.4.1, 6.4.0, 6.3.15 and below, or 6.2.6 and below.
- Review FortiWeb logs for suspicious crafted HTTP requests around exposed interfaces.
- Confirm remediation status against Fortinet advisory FG-IR-21-180.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-43073 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:X/RC:C
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:X/RC:C2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:X/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-21-180CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.