macOS: Search Removes Text from Saved Open-Text Answers (OLAT)

[guberg10]

Description:
A defect has been identified when using open-text questions in an exam running with Safe Exam Browser on macOS.

After entering and saving a open-text answer, using the search function can unintentionally modify the saved response. If the search term entered in the search field matches a word contained in the open-text answer, the matching word is removed from the answer.

This results in unintended modification of candidate responses and may lead to data loss and compromised exam integrity.

The issue has been reproduced on macOS only. The same test scenario was executed on Windows, where the open-text answer remained unchanged and the issue did not occur.

To Reproduce

1. Launch an exam using Safe Exam Browser on macOS.
2. Open a open-text question.
3. Enter and save a response containing a specific word.
4. Use the search field and search for a word contained in the answer.
5. Return to the free-text question and review the saved answer.

Expected behavior
The search functionality should not alter the content of any saved free-text responses. The answer should remain exactly as entered and saved by the candidate.

Screenshots
If applicable, add screenshots or a link to a video to help explain your problem.

Version Information

• macOS: 26.6.2
• SEB Version 3.7

Additional Context

org.safeexambrowser.SafeExamBrowser 2026-09-01--12-59-06-261.log

[danschlet]

I think your steps to reproduce are not completely precise. You wrote "Enter and save a response containing a specific word.". But on your screen shot the text is still being edited while you are searching the word. The text search Javascript code can for sure not remove text from an answer which has already been saved and is not being edited anymore.

Have you verified that the text is permanently removed from the being edited text? Or is it still there when you go to another question and then return to the free-text question?

The reason for this issue is an incompatibility of the SEB search text Javascript code and the Javascript free-text editor in Olat. The search text code highlights the word which has been found. It seems that in this editor this makes the word disappear. We will have a closer look at the issue.

[guberg10]

If the answer is not saved after the word disappears, the original text remains intact. The data loss occurs when the modified editor content is persisted by a manual save or the autosave mechanism.

Reproduction scenario:

1. Open a free-text question.
2. Enter a text containing a specific word.
3. Trigger the search function and search for that word.
4. The word disappears from the editor.
5. Wait for autosave or save the answer manually.
6. Navigate away from the question and return to it.
7. The answer is now stored without the removed word.