# CVE-2003-0016: Path traversal in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service on Apache servers running on unpatched Windows 9x/Me via MS-DOS device names.

- **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:** No
- **Published:** 1 Sep 2004
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pwp2-xgpp-8p5f

## What is CVE-2003-0016?

CVE-2003-0016 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 1 Sep 2004. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache before 2.0.44, when running on unpatched Windows 9x and Me operating systems, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via an HTTP request containing MS-DOS device names.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2003-0016?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Http Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2003-0016?

No fix has been published for CVE-2003-0016 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2003-0016 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2003-0016 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-2003-0016 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2003-0016 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 1 Sep 2004. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2003-0016 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-2003-0016/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0016/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2003-0016
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2003-0016
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2003-0016

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0016/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.