HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-41269
CRITICAL

CVE-2021-41269

CWE-94Published: November 15, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

cron-utils is a Java library to define, parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for them. In affected versions A template Injection was identified in cron-utils enabling attackers to inject arbitrary Java EL expressions, leading to unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability. Versions up to 9.1.2 are susceptible to this vulnerability. Please note, that only projects using the @Cron annotation to validate untrusted Cron expressions are affected. The issue was patched and a new version was released. Please upgrade to version 9.1.6. There are no known workarounds known.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-41269 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

cron-utils_project1 product(s)
cron-utils
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/cfd2880f80e62ea74b92fa83474c2aabdb9899da
PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/d6707503ec2f20947f79e38f861dba93b39df9da
PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/cfd2880f80e62ea74b92fa83474c2aabdb9899da
PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/d6707503ec2f20947f79e38f861dba93b39df9da
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-p9m8-27x8-rg87
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-p9m8-27x8-rg87

All References (8)

→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/cfd2880f80e62ea74b92fa83474c2aabdb9899daPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/d6707503ec2f20947f79e38f861dba93b39df9daPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-p9m8-27x8-rg87Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/cfd2880f80e62ea74b92fa83474c2aabdb9899daPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/d6707503ec2f20947f79e38f861dba93b39df9daPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-p9m8-27x8-rg87Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-41269
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-94
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 15, 2021

Related CVEs (CWE-94)

CVE-2021-23281
10.0
CVE-2013-5912
10.0
CVE-2018-4031
10.0
CVE-2026-48836
10.0
CVE-2014-7205
10.0
CVE-2015-1497
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2021-41269 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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