ILIAS: PHP object injection via Test import
Summary
ILIAS, an open-source learning management system, contains a PHP object injection flaw in the import of Test archives. An authenticated user with Test creation or import permission can supply a crafted archive whose tst_sequence attribute is deserialized, which can lead to arbitrary PHP file writes and code execution on the server. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 8.7 (High), with exploitation possible over the network and no user interaction.
Affected
- ILIAS 9.0 to before 9.24
- ILIAS 10.0 to before 10.12
- ILIAS 11.0 to before 11.5
- Default configuration: unaffected (per CNA)
Fixed in
- ILIAS 9.24
- ILIAS 10.12
- ILIAS 11.5 (listed in the ILIAS security blog; verify against the vendor advisory)
Workaround
- Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround was found; patching is the stated remedy.
- Interim measure: restrict Test creation and import permissions to trusted roles until ILIAS is upgraded.
Exploitation
- CISA KEV: not listed.
- EPSS: 0.0057.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- No public proof-of-concept found for this CVE.
- The VulDB '0-Day' label is a status field and is not evidence of in-the-wild exploitation.
- Related CVE-2026-80428 is an unauthenticated ILIAS PHP object injection with a public PoC; it affects versions before 9.22, 10.10 and 11.3.
Our recommendation
- Check the installed ILIAS version and upgrade to 9.24, 10.12 or 11.5 as applicable.
- Restrict Test creation and import permissions to trusted roles.
- Confirm the instance is not exposed to the internet beyond what is required.
- If the instance is below 9.22, 10.10 or 11.3, prioritise the upgrade, since CVE-2026-80428 is also exploitable without authentication.
- Monitor for unexpected PHP files in the web directories and review recent Test imports.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- VulnCheck advisory: ILIAS PHP Object Injection via Test Results Import www.vulncheck.com
- ILIAS Security Blog (docu.ilias.de) docu.ilias.de
- ILIAS 9.24 release on GitHub github.com
- ILIAS 10.12 release on GitHub github.com
- VulnCheck CVE record mirror (vulners.com) vulners.com
- VulDB entry 420313 vuldb.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 1 Nov 2026, 02:44.
Original description (NVD)
ILIAS before 9.24, 10.12, and 11.5 contains a PHP object injection vulnerability that allows authenticated users with Test creation or import permission to deserialize arbitrary objects via crafted Test archives. Attackers can inject a malicious tst_sequence sequence attribute that is passed to unserialize(), abusing Guzzle or Monolog gadget chains to write PHP files and execute code.
NVD references (9)
- https://docu.ilias.de/go/blog/15821/952
- https://docu.ilias.de/ilias.php?baseClass=illmpresentationgui&obj_id=228077&ref_id=35
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/blob/2a3758ee3b01e5c66922e08f58a2189146b884d4/components/ILIAS/Test/…
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/blob/2a3758ee3b01e5c66922e08f58a2189146b884d4/components/ILIAS/Test/…
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/commit/267d4645ea940f8f97d1a9838deff6a12097564d
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/commit/ac4684239641fb3dab2d636b53a61c46462d1208
- https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/commit/cf4e9c230edfd96fc94a1b1d355500aa8c6f1771
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ilias-before-9.24-10.12-and-11.5-php-object-injection-via-test-results-i…
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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