CVE-2021-41131Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary JSON file overwrite via delegated rolenames

Published Oct 19, 2021 · Updated Nov 18, 2024

Path traversal in python-tuf before 0.19.0 allows remote attackers to overwrite JSON files outside the client metadata store. The tuf/client and tuf/ngclient paths use an unvalidated delegated rolename as a metadata filename when get_one_valid_targetinfo() retrieves role data. Exploitation requires inserting valid signed metadata for a traversal-bearing role and having existing targets metadata delegate to that role; written content must be a signed targets file ending in .json.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Path traversal in python-tuf before 0.19.0 allows remote attackers to overwrite JSON files outside the client metadata store. The tuf/client and tuf/ngclient paths use an unvalidated delegated rolename as a metadata filename when get_one_valid_targetinfo() retrieves role data. Exploitation requires inserting valid signed metadata for a traversal-bearing role and having existing targets metadata delegate to that role; written content must be a signed targets file ending in .json.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41131
Published
Oct 19, 2021
Updated
Nov 18, 2024
Vendor
The Update Framework
Product
python-tuf
Classifications
CWE-22, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 19, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 18, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=< 0.19.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Update Framework · python-tufversion=< 0.19.0

Published CVSS scores

7.5GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N
8.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H
6.9GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:H/SA:N
8.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo