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CVE Record

CVE-2021-43205: An exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor vulnerability [CWE-200] in FortiClient for Li...

An exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor vulnerability [CWE-200] in FortiClient for Linux version 7.0.2 and below, 6.4.7 and below and 6.2.9 and below may allow an unauthenticated attacker to access the confighandler webserver via external binaries.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-43205 affects FortiClient for Linux and can expose sensitive information to an unauthenticated actor. The available sources rate it medium severity with limited confidentiality impact, but it still matters where Linux endpoints run affected FortiClient versions.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate-priority endpoint hygiene issue. It is not described as actively exploited, but affected Linux endpoints may disclose sensitive information without authentication, so remediation should be scheduled and tracked.

Technical view

Fortinet describes a CWE-200 sensitive information exposure in FortiClient for Linux 7.0.2 and below, 6.4.7 and below, and 6.2.9 and below. CVSS 3.1 is 4.3 with adjacent attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and confidentiality impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to environments running affected FortiClient for Linux versions. The CVSS vector indicates adjacent network reachability, not broad internet exposure. The source bundle does not identify Windows, macOS, or other Fortinet products as affected.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. It says an unauthenticated attacker may access the confighandler webserver via external binaries, but does not provide exploit maturity details beyond the CVSS metadata.

Researcher notes

Key constraints are FortiClient for Linux scope, adjacent attack vector, and confidentiality-only impact. Evidence is limited to the CVE metadata and Fortinet advisory reference; do not broaden affected products or claim exploitation without additional sourcing.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory FortiClient for Linux deployments and versions.
  • Review Fortinet PSIRT FG-IR-21-226 for vendor upgrade or workaround guidance.
  • Upgrade affected versions according to Fortinet guidance.
  • Restrict adjacent access to affected endpoint management components where feasible.
  • Track remediation through endpoint management or asset inventory records.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether FortiClient for Linux is installed on managed endpoints.
  • Compare versions against 7.0.2, 6.4.7, and 6.2.9 thresholds.
  • Check Fortinet PSIRT guidance for fixed-version confirmation.
  • Verify affected endpoints received the vendor-recommended remediation.
  • Document non-exposure where FortiClient for Linux is absent.
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-2021-43205 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:X/RL:W/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
4.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:X/RL:W/RC:C2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-43205Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:X/RL:W/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 FortiClientLinuxFortiClientLinux 7.0.2 and below, 6.4.7 and below, 6.2.9 and belowListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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