CVE-2021-43266Public exploit

Authenticated server command execution via collection name

Published Nov 2, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

OS command injection in affected Mahara releases allows remote authenticated users to execute server commands via a crafted collection name. PDF bulk export passes a user-controlled collection name, sanitized by text_to_filename with an incomplete denylist, into a shell command. Exploitation requires the experimental PDF export feature, a normal user account, and an administrator to export the attacker's collection or institution data.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability1.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in affected Mahara releases allows remote authenticated users to execute server commands via a crafted collection name. PDF bulk export passes a user-controlled collection name, sanitized by text_to_filename with an incomplete denylist, into a shell command. Exploitation requires the experimental PDF export feature, a normal user account, and an administrator to export the attacker's collection or institution data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-43266
Published
Nov 2, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 2, 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

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

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NIST NVDAV:N/AC:H/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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