How severe is CVE-2021-36183?

CVE-2021-36183 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-36183 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (27th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-36183?

CVE-2021-36183 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-36183?

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-2021-36183 published?

CVE-2021-36183 was published on 2021-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-36183

CVE-2021-36183 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Forticlient with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.4)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (27th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2021-11-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An improper authorization vulnerability [CWE-285] in FortiClient for Windows versions 7.0.1 and below and 6.4.2 and below may allow a local unprivileged attacker to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM via the named pipe responsible for Forticlient updates.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-36183?: An improper authorization vulnerability [CWE-285] in FortiClient for Windows versions 7.0.1 and below and 6.4.2 and below may allow a local unprivileged attacker to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM via the named pipe responsible for Forticlient updates.
How severe is CVE-2021-36183?: CVE-2021-36183 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-36183 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (27th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-36183?: CVE-2021-36183 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-36183?: 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-2021-36183 published?: CVE-2021-36183 was published on 2021-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-20-079

Affected products (1)

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

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