Advisory Published

FG-IR-21-022: [FortiClientMac] Privilege escalation using installer/uninstaller binaries (Improper Symlink following)

First published: Wed Jul 07 2021(Updated: )

A UNIX symbolic link (Symlink) Following (CWE-61) vulnerability in FortiClient for MacOS may allow a local and unprivileged user to overwrite privileged shell scripts executed during the installation phase via escalating their privileges to root.

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
Fortinet FortiClient Virtual Private Network

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of FG-IR-21-022?

    FG-IR-21-022 is considered a moderate severity vulnerability due to its potential for privilege escalation.

  • How do I fix FG-IR-21-022?

    To fix FG-IR-21-022, ensure you update FortiClient for MacOS to the latest version that addresses this symlink vulnerability.

  • Who is affected by FG-IR-21-022?

    FG-IR-21-022 affects local and unprivileged users of FortiClient for MacOS who can exploit the symlink vulnerability.

  • What can an attacker do with FG-IR-21-022?

    An attacker exploiting FG-IR-21-022 can overwrite privileged shell scripts during installation, potentially gaining root privileges.

  • Is there a workaround for FG-IR-21-022?

    Currently, the recommended approach for FG-IR-21-022 is to apply the software update rather than seeking workarounds.

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