Description
An unauthenticated Remote Code Execution vulnerability was found in the survey passthrough routing and Data Import processing logic, in which a malicious user could potentially exploit it by manipulating HTTP requests to access an unintended controller route from a public survey context and by supplying a crafted file-path/stream parameter during import handling. If successfully exploited, this could allow the attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code on the REDCap server. The attacker does not have to be authenticated in order to exploit this, but exploitation requires knowledge of a valid public survey hash. This vulnerability exists in REDCap 13.3.0 and higher.
Published: 2026-09-20
Score: 9.8 Critical
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

An unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability exists in the survey passthrough routing and Data Import processing logic of REDCap. By manipulating HTTP requests, an attacker can access an unintended controller route from a public survey context and supply a crafted file-path/stream parameter during import handling. If successful, the attacker can run arbitrary code on the REDCap server. The flaw does not require authentication, but it does require knowledge of a valid public survey hash.

Affected Systems

Vendors: Vanderbilt University. Product: REDCap. Versions 13.3.0 and newer are affected up to the patched releases; the fix is available in REDCap 16.0.49 LTS, 17.3.10 LTS, and 17.4.4 Standard releases.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates an extremely high severity. EPSS is not available, but the lack of authentication and the ability to execute arbitrary code render exploitation likely to be mission critical if discovered. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, yet it remains a high‑risk target. The attack vector is inferred to involve crafted HTTP traffic directed at the REDCap server, exploiting the public survey pathway without user credentials. The necessary prerequisite of a known public survey hash modestly reduces exposure, but the potential impact of remote code execution makes prompt mitigation imperative.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 20, 2026 at 13:32 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to REDCap 16.0.49 LTS, 17.3.10 LTS, or 17.4.4 Standard Release, as applicable.


OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade REDCap to a patched release – 16.0.49 LTS, 17.3.10 LTS, or 17.4.4 Standard.
  • If an upgrade cannot be applied immediately, disable or strictly restrict the public survey feature to prevent attackers from exploiting the survey hash requirement.
  • Monitor web server logs and traffic for anomalous requests to survey passthrough routes or data import endpoints to detect potential exploitation attempts.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 20, 2026 at 13:32 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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References
History

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Remote Code Execution via Survey Passthrough Routing and Data Import in REDCap

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An unauthenticated Remote Code Execution vulnerability was found in the survey passthrough routing and Data Import processing logic, in which a malicious user could potentially exploit it by manipulating HTTP requests to access an unintended controller route from a public survey context and by supplying a crafted file-path/stream parameter during import handling. If successfully exploited, this could allow the attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code on the REDCap server. The attacker does not have to be authenticated in order to exploit this, but exploitation requires knowledge of a valid public survey hash. This vulnerability exists in REDCap 13.3.0 and higher.
Weaknesses CWE-73
CWE-94
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Securifera

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-20T12:05:32.698Z

Reserved: 2026-09-13T17:35:41.413Z

Link: CVE-2026-90817

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-20T13:17:44.973

Modified: 2026-09-20T13:17:44.973

Link: CVE-2026-90817

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-20T13:45:07Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-73

    External Control of File Name or Path

  • CWE-94

    Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')