How severe is CVE-2021-32592?

CVE-2021-32592 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-32592 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-32592?

CVE-2021-32592 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-32592?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-32592 published?

CVE-2021-32592 was published on 2021-12-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-32592

CVE-2021-32592 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (15th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2021-12-01
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An unsafe search path vulnerability in FortiClientWindows 7.0.0, 6.4.6 and below, 6.2.x, 6.0.x and FortiClientEMS 7.0.0, 6.4.6 and below, 6.2.x, 6.0.x may allow an attacker to perform a DLL Hijack attack on affected devices via a malicious OpenSSL engine library in the search path.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-32592?: An unsafe search path vulnerability in FortiClientWindows 7.0.0, 6.4.6 and below, 6.2.x, 6.0.x and FortiClientEMS 7.0.0, 6.4.6 and below, 6.2.x, 6.0.x may allow an attacker to perform a DLL Hijack attack on affected devices via a malicious OpenSSL engine library in the search path.
How severe is CVE-2021-32592?: CVE-2021-32592 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-32592 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-32592?: CVE-2021-32592 primarily affects Fortinet Forticlient. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-32592?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-32592 published?: CVE-2021-32592 was published on 2021-12-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-21-088

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient:7.0.0:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient_enterprise_management_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:fortinet:forticlient_enterprise_management_server:7.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2019-25268 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): NREL BEopt 2.8.0.0 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to load arbitrary libraries by tricking…
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