CVE-2026-40076: CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in openmrs openmrs-core
OpenMRS Core is an open source electronic medical record system platform. In versions 2.7.8 and earlier and versions 2.8.0 through 2.8.5, the module upload endpoint at POST `/openmrs/ws/rest/v1/module` is vulnerable to a Zip Slip path traversal attack. During automatic extraction of uploaded .omod archives in `WebModuleUtil.startModule()`, ZIP entries under web/module/ are checked only to see whether the full entry path starts with `..,` and the remaining path is then concatenated into the destination path without normalization or a boundary check. A crafted archive can therefore include entries such as `web/module/../../../../malicious.jsp` and cause files to be written outside the intended module directory. An authenticated attacker with module upload access can write arbitrary files to locations such as the web application root and achieve remote code execution by uploading a JSP file and then requesting it. The issue is compounded by the fact that the module.allow_web_admin runtime property is enforced in the legacy UI controller but not in the REST API upload path, so deployments relying on that property to block web-based module administration remain exposed through the REST endpoint. This issue has been fixed in versions after 2.7.8 in the 2.7.x line and in version 2.8.6 and later.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-40076) in openmrs-core affects versions up to 2.7.8 and from 2.8.0 to 2.8.5. It is a Zip Slip path traversal issue in the POST /openmrs/ws/rest/v1/module endpoint used for module uploads. The extraction logic in WebModuleUtil.startModule() checks ZIP entry paths only by prefix matching '..,' without proper normalization or boundary enforcement, allowing crafted archives to write files outside the module directory. An attacker with authenticated module upload access can place arbitrary files, such as JSP web shells, in the web application root, enabling remote code execution. The module.allow_web_admin runtime property intended to restrict web-based module administration is not enforced in the REST API path, increasing exposure. The vulnerability is fixed in versions after 2.7.8 (2.7.x line) and from 2.8.6 onwards.
Potential Impact
An authenticated attacker with module upload privileges can exploit this vulnerability to write arbitrary files outside the intended directory, including placing malicious JSP files in the web root. This can lead to remote code execution on the server hosting OpenMRS. The vulnerability bypasses intended administrative restrictions due to inconsistent enforcement of security properties in the REST API. The CVSS 4.0 score is 9.4 (critical), reflecting the high impact and ease of exploitation with high privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in openmrs-core versions after 2.7.8 in the 2.7.x branch and from 2.8.6 onwards. It is strongly recommended to upgrade to these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. Until upgraded, restrict module upload access to trusted users only and consider disabling the REST API module upload endpoint if possible. Verify that the module.allow_web_admin property is consistently enforced across all module management interfaces. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory indicating fixed versions.
CVE-2026-40076: CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in openmrs openmrs-core
Description
OpenMRS Core is an open source electronic medical record system platform. In versions 2.7.8 and earlier and versions 2.8.0 through 2.8.5, the module upload endpoint at POST `/openmrs/ws/rest/v1/module` is vulnerable to a Zip Slip path traversal attack. During automatic extraction of uploaded .omod archives in `WebModuleUtil.startModule()`, ZIP entries under web/module/ are checked only to see whether the full entry path starts with `..,` and the remaining path is then concatenated into the destination path without normalization or a boundary check. A crafted archive can therefore include entries such as `web/module/../../../../malicious.jsp` and cause files to be written outside the intended module directory. An authenticated attacker with module upload access can write arbitrary files to locations such as the web application root and achieve remote code execution by uploading a JSP file and then requesting it. The issue is compounded by the fact that the module.allow_web_admin runtime property is enforced in the legacy UI controller but not in the REST API upload path, so deployments relying on that property to block web-based module administration remain exposed through the REST endpoint. This issue has been fixed in versions after 2.7.8 in the 2.7.x line and in version 2.8.6 and later.
CVSS v4.0
Score 9.4critical
Affected software
pkg:maven/org.openmrs/openmrs-coreRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-40076) in openmrs-core affects versions up to 2.7.8 and from 2.8.0 to 2.8.5. It is a Zip Slip path traversal issue in the POST /openmrs/ws/rest/v1/module endpoint used for module uploads. The extraction logic in WebModuleUtil.startModule() checks ZIP entry paths only by prefix matching '..,' without proper normalization or boundary enforcement, allowing crafted archives to write files outside the module directory. An attacker with authenticated module upload access can place arbitrary files, such as JSP web shells, in the web application root, enabling remote code execution. The module.allow_web_admin runtime property intended to restrict web-based module administration is not enforced in the REST API path, increasing exposure. The vulnerability is fixed in versions after 2.7.8 (2.7.x line) and from 2.8.6 onwards.
Potential Impact
An authenticated attacker with module upload privileges can exploit this vulnerability to write arbitrary files outside the intended directory, including placing malicious JSP files in the web root. This can lead to remote code execution on the server hosting OpenMRS. The vulnerability bypasses intended administrative restrictions due to inconsistent enforcement of security properties in the REST API. The CVSS 4.0 score is 9.4 (critical), reflecting the high impact and ease of exploitation with high privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in openmrs-core versions after 2.7.8 in the 2.7.x branch and from 2.8.6 onwards. It is strongly recommended to upgrade to these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. Until upgraded, restrict module upload access to trusted users only and consider disabling the REST API module upload endpoint if possible. Verify that the module.allow_web_admin property is consistently enforced across all module management interfaces. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory indicating fixed versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-09T00:39:12.205Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69fb9bbdcbff5d8610414e9f
Added to database: 05/06/2026, 19:51:25 UTC
Last enriched: 05/14/2026, 03:49:10 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:58 UTC
Views: 160
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