# CVE-2002-1233: Path traversal in n/a

> Local attackers can read or modify Apache password files via symlink attacks on temporary files during htpasswd or htdigest execution.

- **Severity:** Low 2.6 (`AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 25 Oct 2002
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-h5gj-xw8w-hmjf

## What is CVE-2002-1233?

CVE-2002-1233 is a low-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 25 Oct 2002. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A regression error in the Debian distributions of the apache-ssl package (before 1.3.9 on Debian 2.2, and before 1.3.26 on Debian 3.0), for Apache 1.3.27 and earlier, allows local users to read or modify the Apache password file via a symlink attack on temporary files when the administrator runs (1) htpasswd or (2) htdigest, a re-introduction of a vulnerability that was originally identified and addressed by CVE-2001-0131.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2002-1233?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Http Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2002-1233?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2002-1233 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2002-1233 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## 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-2002-1233 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2002-1233 is a low-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 25 Oct 2002. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2002-1233 in the wild and no public exploit code.

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-2002-1233/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-1233/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2002-1233
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2002-1233
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2002-1233

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-1233/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.