# CVE-2021-28588: Adobe RoboHelp Server folderId Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

> An authenticated attacker can exploit a path traversal flaw in Adobe RoboHelp Server to achieve arbitrary code execution without user interaction.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 28 Jun 2021
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-ghqh-hjhp-p556

## What is CVE-2021-28588?

CVE-2021-28588 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Adobe RoboHelp Server, published on 28 Jun 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Adobe RoboHelp Server version 2019.0.9 (and earlier) is affected by a Path Traversal vulnerability when parsing a crafted HTTP POST request. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-28588?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Adobe Robohelp Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-28588?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-28588 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-28588 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-28588 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Adobe RoboHelp Server

- [CVE-2009-3068](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3068/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2022-30670](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-30670/): Escalate Privileges to Server Admin - Robohelp Server (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2021-42727](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42727/): Adobe Bridge Buffer Overflow Arbitrary code execution (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2023-22272](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-22272/): ZDI-CAN-21309: Adobe RoboHelp Server resolveDistinguishedName LDAP Injection Information Disclosure Vulnerability (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2023-22274](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-22274/): XML external entity in RoboHelp (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-28588 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-28588 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Adobe RoboHelp Server, published on 28 Jun 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-28588 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Adobe RoboHelp Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-28588/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-28588/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-28588
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28588
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-28588

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-28588/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.