CVE-2021-39180 : What You Need to Know

OpenOLAT is a web-based learning management system (LMS) that was impacted by a path traversal vulnerability in specific versions, allowing potential code execution.

Understanding CVE-2021-39180

OpenOLAT faced a critical issue due to the mishandling of archive files, leading to the risk of malicious code execution.

What is CVE-2021-39180?

The CVE-2021-39180 vulnerability involved an exploitable path traversal flaw before versions 15.3.18, 15.5.3, and 16.0.0 of OpenOLAT. This flaw could enable an attacker to overwrite critical files within the application's environment.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39180

The vulnerability significantly impacted the integrity of the system, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized code and potentially compromise essential system files.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39180

The technical aspects of the vulnerability provide insight into how systems were at risk and what security measures needed implementation.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed attackers to upload a specially crafted ZIP file, overwriting writable files within the application server user's permissions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenOLAT
Versions Affected:
< 15.3.18

= 15.4.0, < 15.5.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
Scope: Unchanged
Impact:
Availability: High
Integrity: High

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2021-39180, it is crucial to take immediate actions and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to versions 15.3.18, 15.5.3, or 16.0.0 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Ensure that users do not have unnecessary permissions that could be exploited.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the system to prevent future vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to avoid similar exploits.

Patching and Updates

Apply the patches released by OpenOLAT promptly to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.