How severe is CVE-2021-44171?

CVE-2021-44171 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-44171 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-44171?

CVE-2021-44171 affects Fortinet Fortios. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-44171?

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

When was CVE-2021-44171 published?

CVE-2021-44171 was published on 2022-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-44171

CVE-2021-44171 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Fortinet Fortios with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0. 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-78.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (72nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Fortinet Fortios
Published: 2022-10-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A improper neutralization of special elements used in an os command ('os command injection') in Fortinet FortiOS version 6.0.0 through 6.0.14, FortiOS version 6.2.0 through 6.2.10, FortiOS version 6.4.0 through 6.4.8, FortiOS version 7.0.0 through 7.0.3 allows attacker to execute privileged commands on a linked FortiSwitch via diagnostic CLI commands.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-44171?: A improper neutralization of special elements used in an os command ('os command injection') in Fortinet FortiOS version 6.0.0 through 6.0.14, FortiOS version 6.2.0 through 6.2.10, FortiOS version 6.4.0 through 6.4.8, FortiOS version 7.0.0 through 7.0.3 allows attacker to execute privileged commands on a linked FortiSwitch via diagnostic CLI commands.
How severe is CVE-2021-44171?: CVE-2021-44171 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-44171 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-44171?: CVE-2021-44171 affects Fortinet Fortios. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-44171?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-44171 published?: CVE-2021-44171 was published on 2022-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-21-242

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:fortinet:fortios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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