# CVE-2008-4501: Path traversal in n/a

> Authenticated remote attackers can overwrite or create arbitrary files via path traversal in the RNTO command of Serv-U FTP server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Oct 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8qhh-m552-8qvf

## What is CVE-2008-4501?

CVE-2008-4501 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Oct 2008. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the FTP server in Serv-U 7.0.0.1 through 7.3, including 7.2.0.1, allows remote authenticated users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a ..\ (dot dot backslash) in the RNTO command.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-4501?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Solarwinds Serv-U File Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-4501?

No fix has been published for CVE-2008-4501 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2008-4501 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-4501 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Serv-U FTP Server 7.3 - (Authenticated) Remote FTP File Replacement (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2009-4006](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-4006/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2004-2532](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2532/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2004-0330](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-0330/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-4800](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-4800/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.0)
- [CVE-2004-2111](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2111/): Memory corruption in n/a (high 8.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-4501 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-4501 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Oct 2008. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-4501 exists.

Affected product: n/a. 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-2008-4501/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-4501/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-4501
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4501
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-4501

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-4501/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.