How severe is CVE-2021-41031?

CVE-2021-41031 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-2021-41031 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-41031?

CVE-2021-41031 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-41031?

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-2021-41031 published?

CVE-2021-41031 was published on 2022-07-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-41031

CVE-2021-41031 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-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (39th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Fortinet Forticlient
Published: 2022-07-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A relative path traversal vulnerability [CWE-23] in FortiClient for Windows versions 7.0.2 and prior, 6.4.6 and prior and 6.2.9 and below may allow a local unprivileged attacker to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM via the named pipe responsible for FortiESNAC service.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-41031?: A relative path traversal vulnerability [CWE-23] in FortiClient for Windows versions 7.0.2 and prior, 6.4.6 and prior and 6.2.9 and below may allow a local unprivileged attacker to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM via the named pipe responsible for FortiESNAC service.
How severe is CVE-2021-41031?: CVE-2021-41031 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-2021-41031 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-41031?: CVE-2021-41031 affects Fortinet Forticlient. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-41031?: 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-2021-41031 published?: CVE-2021-41031 was published on 2022-07-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-21-190

Affected products (1)

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

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