CVE-2021-41242

Path Traversal in some REST methods leading to file upload to arbitrary places

HIGH
8.1
CVSS Score
Published: December 10, 2021 at 10:25 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 04:08 AM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsOpenolatOpenOLAT

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Severity
HIGH8.1
Exploit prediction
EPSS 1%

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 15.5.1216.0.0 ≤ v < 16.0.5
Affected range stops below 15.5.12, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 16.0.5, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 15.5.12v < 16.0.5
Affected range stops below 15.5.12, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 16.0.5, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

CVSS

8.1HIGHGitHub_M
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-23CWE-22

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