
Telerik UI Padding Oracle Exploit: CVE-2026-13181 RCE Chain Puts Web Apps at Risk
In July 2026, Progress Software patched a critical vulnerability chain in Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX (CVE-2026-13181) that allows unauthenticated remote code execution. Security firm TantoSec released a working exploit in September 2026, demonstrating how attackers can chain a padding oracle vulnerability with unguarded type resolution to achieve code execution on vulnerable web applications. The attack requires specific non-default configurations including custom encryption keys, affecting versions 2010.1.309 through 2026.2.519. While no confirmed exploitation has been reported for these specific CVEs, the Telerik component has a history of being targeted by ransomware groups and nation-state actors through previous vulnerabilities. This incident highlights the persistent risks in web application components and the importance of timely patching, especially given Telerik's history as a favored target for sophisticated threat actors seeking initial access to enterprise networks.
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