---
title: "CVE-2021-3281\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2021-3281?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2021-3281

Publication date 1 February 2021

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.3 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2021-3281?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

In Django 2.2 before 2.2.18, 3.0 before 3.0.12, and 3.1 before 3.1.6, the
django.utils.archive.extract method (used by "startapp --template" and
"startproject --template") allows directory traversal via an archive with
absolute paths or relative paths with dot segments.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| python-django | 20.10 groovy | Fixed 2:2.2.16-1ubuntu0.1 |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Fixed 2:2.2.12-1ubuntu0.3 |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Fixed 1:1.11.11-1ubuntu1.10 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 1.8.7-1ubuntu5.14 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 1.6.11-0ubuntu1.3+esm2  Ubuntu Pro |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

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## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.3 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | Low |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.3 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-3281)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3281)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2021-3281)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2021-3281)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-4715-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4715-1)
+ Django vulnerability
+ 1 February 2021

+ [USN-4715-2](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4715-2)
+ Django vulnerability
+ 1 February 2021

### Other references

* <https://www.djangoproject.com/weblog/2021/feb/01/security-releases/>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3281>