Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution
Impact
Opencast uses an Apache Log4j2 version which, combined with older JDK versions, can be used for remote code execution attacks which have been found to be actively exploited.
Apache Log4j2 <=2.14.1 JNDI features is not sufficiently protected. An attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code when message lookup substitution is enabled.
Who is affected
- Opencast before 9.10 or 10.6 are affected
- Log4j version: all 2.x versions before 2.15.0 are affected
Patches
The issue has been fixed in Opencast 9.10 and 10.6.
Workarounds
The vulnerability can be mitigated by setting system property log4j2.formatMsgNoLookups to true.
References
- Opencast pull request mitigating the vulnerability
- CVE-2021-44228 Detail
- Analysis and Remediation Guidance to the Log4j Zero-Day RCE (CVE-2021-44228) Vulnerability
- VE-2021-44228 – Log4j 2 Vulnerability Analysis
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in our issue tracker
- Email us at security@opencast.org
Note about dependencies
This issue affects many Java applications. Please also verify these are not vulnerable.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.opencastproject:opencast-common | < 9.10, >= 10.0, < 10.6 | 9.10, 10.6 |
References
- https://github.com/opencast/opencast/security/advisories/GHSA-mf4f-j588-5xm8
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228
- https://github.com/opencast/opencast/pull/3253
- https://docs.opencast.org/r/10.x/admin/#changelog/#opencast-106
- https://docs.opencast.org/r/9.x/admin/#changelog/#opencast-910
- https://github.com/opencast/opencast
- Weakness (CWE)
-- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.opencastproject:opencast-common- Disclosed
- 14.12.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-mf4f-j588-5xm8 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.opencastproject:opencast-common
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 6
- First → latest
- 12.2021 10.2025
- Without a fix
- 1
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 2
- Medium 3
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 2
- 2026: 0
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.