# CVE-2002-0661: Path traversal in n/a

> Remote attackers can read arbitrary files and execute commands on Apache servers via directory traversal using backslash sequences.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 10 Aug 2002
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2002-0661, GHSA-cjcj-mxqx-222g

## What is CVE-2002-0661?

CVE-2002-0661 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 10 Aug 2002. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Directory traversal vulnerability in Apache 2.0 through 2.0.39 on Windows, OS2, and Netware allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and execute commands via .. (dot dot) sequences containing \ (backslash) characters.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2002-0661?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Http Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2002-0661?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2002-0661 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2002-0661 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache 2.0 - Encoded Backslash Directory Traversal (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Http Server

- [CVE-2021-42013](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42013/): Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-38475](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-38475/): Apache HTTP Server Improper Escaping of Output (critical 9.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-40438](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-40438/): Apache HTTP Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) (critical 9.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-0211](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0211/): Apache HTTP Server Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-41773](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-41773/): Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal (high 7.5, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2002-0661 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2002-0661 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 10 Aug 2002. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2002-0661 exists.

Affected product: Apache Http Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0661/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0661/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2002-0661
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2002-0661
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2002-0661

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0661/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.