CVE-2021-41269

Name: CVE-2021-41269
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-11-15T21:15:07.393+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 4.05%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-41269 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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. EPSS estimates a 4.05% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

4.05%

89.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-94

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cron-Utils Project	Cron-Utils	< 9.1.6

References

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

Timeline

Published: Nov 15, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-41269?

How severe is CVE-2021-41269?

CVE-2021-41269 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.05% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-41269?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-41269?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST