CVE-2021-41242 Path Traversal in some REST methods leading to file upload to arbitrary places
Authenticated attackers can exploit path traversal in REST methods to write files to arbitrary locations, potentially leading to code execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-41242?
CVE-2021-41242 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in OpenOLAT, published on 10 Dec 2021. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
OpenOlat is a web-basedlearning management system. A path traversal vulnerability exists in OpenOlat prior to versions 15.5.12 and 16.0.5. By providing a filename that contains a relative path as a parameter in some REST methods, it is possible to create directory structures and write files anywhere on the target system. The attack could be used to write files anywhere in the web root folder or outside, depending on the configuration of the system and the properly configured permission of the application server user. The attack requires an OpenOlat user account, an enabled REST API and the rights on a business object to call the vulnerable REST calls. The problem is fixed in version 15.5.12 and 16.0.5. There is a workaround available. The vulnerability requires the REST module to be enabled. Disabling the REST module or limiting the REST module via some firewall or web-server access rules to be accessed only be trusted systems will mitigate the risk.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-41242?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Frentix Openolat.
How do I fix CVE-2021-41242?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-41242 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2021-41242 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-41242 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in OpenOLAT
- CVE-2026-31946 OpenOLAT: Authentication bypass via forged JWT in OIDC implicit flow
- CVE-2026-28228 OpenOLAT: Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in Velocity templates allows Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2021-39181 Unsafe Deserialization of User Data Using XStream
- CVE-2021-39180 Path Traversal in Archive Handling Leading to Code Execution
- CVE-2021-41152 Path Traversal in Folder Component Leading to Local File Inclusion
Sources
Also known as GHSA-62hv-rfp4-hmrm.