CVE-2021-42013
Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Description
It was found that the fix for CVE-2021-41773 in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.50 was insufficient. An attacker could use a path traversal attack to map URLs to files outside the directories configured by Alias-like directives. If files outside of these directories are not protected by the usual default configuration "require all denied", these requests can succeed. If CGI scripts are also enabled for these aliased pathes, this could allow for remote code execution. This issue only affects Apache 2.4.49 and Apache 2.4.50 and not earlier versions.
Official description from the CVE record, published by apache. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See /security/cve/legal for the CVE license. View the record on cve.org
Key data
CVSS 3.1 Critical 9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector: Network
The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet.
Attack complexity: Low
No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will.
Privileges required: None
No account or privileges are needed.
User interaction: None
No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Unchanged
The impact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality impact: High
Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.
Integrity impact: High
Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data.
Availability impact: High
Serious or total effect on availability.
| Metric | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. |
| Attack complexity | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. |
| Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. |
| User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. |
| Scope | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component. |
| Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. |
| Integrity impact | High | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data. |
| Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. |
CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at first.org/cvss.
EPSS
- Score
- 0.99964 (99.96% probability)
- Percentile
- 99.97%
- Scores of
- Nov 10, 2026
- Model
- v2026.06.15
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
- Name in the catalog
- Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal Vulnerability
- Added to the catalog
- Nov 3, 2021
- Federal due date
- Nov 17, 2021
- Ransomware campaigns
- Known use
CISA assessment as of Feb 4, 2025
- Exploitation
- Recorded by CISA as active
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- total
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
Affected products
Apache HTTP Server
- affected: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49
- affected: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.50
References
- httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_24.html
- [announce] 20211007 CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-users] 20211007 [users@httpd] CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211007 CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- 20211007 Apache HTTP Server Vulnerabilties: October 2021 (tools.cisco.com)vendor-advisory
- JVN#51106450 (jvn.jp)third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20211008 [httpd-site] branch main updated: * Align with CVE-2021-42013 based on the latest findings (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211008 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211009 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211011 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- FEDORA-2021-2a10bc68a4 (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2021-aaf90ef84a (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20211015 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20211016 Re: CVE-2021-42013: Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50 (incomplete fix of CVE-2021-41773) (openwall.com)mailing-list
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211029-0009
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164629/Apache-2.4.49-2.4.50-T…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164941/Apache-HTTP-Server-2.4…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164501/Apache-HTTP-Server-2.4…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164609/Apache-HTTP-Server-2.4…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/165089/Apache-HTTP-Server-2.4…
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/167397/Apache-2.4.50-Remote-C…
- povilaika.com/apache-2-4-50-exploit
- GLSA-202208-20 (security.gentoo.org)vendor-advisory
Timeline
- ID reserved
- Record published
- Added to CISA KEV
- Record last updated
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About CubePath
Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:38 UTC. Sources and licenses