CVE-2021-39180Network attack vector

Authenticated file overwrite via ZIP path traversal

Published Aug 31, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Path traversal in OpenOLAT before 15.3.18 and 15.4.0 through 15.5.2 allows remote authenticated users to overwrite server files. ZipUtil unzip routines joined untrusted ZIP entry names to extraction destinations without normalizing them and checking containment. An OpenOLAT account with ZIP upload access is required; overwrites can corrupt application data, and known paths plus writable JSP deployment can enable Java code execution.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability2.44%
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 OpenOLAT before 15.3.18 and 15.4.0 through 15.5.2 allows remote authenticated users to overwrite server files. ZipUtil unzip routines joined untrusted ZIP entry names to extraction destinations without normalizing them and checking containment. An OpenOLAT account with ZIP upload access is required; overwrites can corrupt application data, and known paths plus writable JSP deployment can enable Java code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39180
Published
Aug 31, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
frentix GmbH
Product
OpenOlat
Classifications
CWE-22, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 31, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 15.3.18
  2. Affected versionversion=>= 15.4.0, < 15.5.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

frentix GmbH · OpenOlatversion=< 15.3.18; version=>= 15.4.0, < 15.5.3

Published CVSS scores

8.1GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 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')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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