# CVE-2021-3688: Path traversal in Red Hat JBCS HTTP Server

> Attackers can bypass path restrictions to access unauthorized information or modify data in Red Hat JBoss Core Services HTTP Server.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 26 Aug 2022
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f3rq-463v-2j36

## What is CVE-2021-3688?

CVE-2021-3688 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Red Hat JBCS HTTP Server, published on 26 Aug 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A flaw was found in Red Hat JBoss Core Services HTTP Server in all versions, where it does not properly normalize the path component of a request URL contains dot-dot-semicolon(s). This flaw could allow an attacker to access unauthorized information or possibly conduct further attacks. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-3688?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Redhat Jboss Core Services Httpd.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-3688?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2021-3688 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-3688 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat JBCS HTTP Server

- [CVE-2020-25680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-25680/): Security feature bypass in JBCS httpd (medium 5.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-3688 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-3688 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Red Hat JBCS HTTP Server, published on 26 Aug 2022. 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-2021-3688 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Red Hat JBCS 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-2021-3688/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3688/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3688
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3688
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-3688

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3688/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.