CVE-2021-42753Network attack vector

Arbitrary file deletion via unrestricted path resolution

Published Feb 2, 2022 · Updated Oct 22, 2024

Path traversal in Fortinet FortiWeb 5.8.0 through 6.3.15 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to delete filesystem content. The management interface uses an attacker-controlled pathname for file and directory deletion without restricting resolution to the intended directory; Fortinet has not disclosed the affected endpoint or handler. Management-interface credentials are required, and exploitation deletes files or directories outside the intended area rather than reading their contents or executing code.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in Fortinet FortiWeb 5.8.0 through 6.3.15 and 6.4.0 through 6.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to delete filesystem content. The management interface uses an attacker-controlled pathname for file and directory deletion without restricting resolution to the intended directory; Fortinet has not disclosed the affected endpoint or handler. Management-interface credentials are required, and exploitation deletes files or directories outside the intended area rather than reading their contents or executing code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-42753
Published
Feb 2, 2022
Updated
Oct 22, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-22
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 2, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 22, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.1Fortinet, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
8.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:N/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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