CVE-2021-41773

Path traversal and file disclosure vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49

CRITICAL
9.8
CVSS Score
Published: October 5, 2021 at 08:40 AM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 04:08 AM UTC
4 products affected across 4 vendorsFedoraHTTP ServerCloud Backup

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Severity
CRITICAL9.8
Exploitation
CISA KEV
Exploit prediction
EPSS 100%
SSVC
Active

Actively Exploited

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog

EPSS Score100.0%

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) estimates a 100.0% chance this CVE is exploited in the wild within the next 30 days — higher than 100% of all CVEs. It complements CVSS: a high EPSS on a mid-severity CVE can still be urgent.

Apache HTTP Server contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker to perform remote code execution if files outside directories configured by Alias-like directives are not under default �require all denied� or if CGI scripts are enabled. The original patch issued under this CVE ID is insufficient, please review remediation information under CVE-2021-42013.

Required Action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Ransomware Use
Known
Added to KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Remediation Due
Nov 17, 2021
1807 days overdue

Description

A flaw was found in a change made to path normalization in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49. An attacker could use a path traversal attack to map URLs to files outside the directories configured by Alias-like directives. If files outside of these directories are not protected by the usual default configuration "require all denied", these requests can succeed. If CGI scripts are also enabled for these aliased pathes, this could allow for remote code execution. This issue is known to be exploited in the wild. This issue only affects Apache 2.4.49 and not earlier versions. The fix in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.50 was found to be incomplete, see CVE-2021-42013.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

References (30)

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCActiveAutomatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
CWE-22

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