CVE-2021-41242Network attack vector

Authenticated file write via path traversal

Published Dec 10, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Path traversal in OpenOlat before 15.5.12 and 16.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to write files via REST filenames. REST upload methods pass caller-controlled filenames into VFS resolve and createChildLeaf operations, allowing relative paths to escape the intended container; the patch adds an in-path check and rejects traversal. Exploitation requires an OpenOlat account, enabled REST API, and rights on the targeted business object, with writes bounded by the application server account permissions.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.44%
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 15.5.12 and 16.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to write files via REST filenames. REST upload methods pass caller-controlled filenames into VFS resolve and createChildLeaf operations, allowing relative paths to escape the intended container; the patch adds an in-path check and rejects traversal. Exploitation requires an OpenOlat account, enabled REST API, and rights on the targeted business object, with writes bounded by the application server account permissions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41242
Published
Dec 10, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
frentix GmbH
Product
OpenOlat
Classifications
CWE-23, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 10, 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=< 15.5.12
  2. Affected versionversion=>= 16.0.0, < 16.0.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

frentix GmbH · OpenOlatversion=< 15.5.12; version=>= 16.0.0, < 16.0.5

Published CVSS scores

8.1GitHub CNACVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
7.9NVDAV:N/AC:M/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.

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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-23Relative 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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