CVE-2001-0025: ad.cgi CGI program by Leif Wright allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacte

This week

HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2001-0025 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting ad.cgi. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ad.cgi CGI program by Leif Wright allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the file parameter.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	12.3% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2001-02-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: leif m. wright

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2001-02-12 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

leif m. wright ad.cgi DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ad.cgi || rpm -q ad.cgi || ad.cgi --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ad.cgi sudo apt install ad.cgi=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold ad.cgi

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ad.cgi sudo dnf downgrade ad.cgi-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ad.cgi

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Leif M. Wright - 'ad.cgi' 1.0 Unchecked Input

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2001-0025?

ad.cgi: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2001-0025 being exploited?

CVE-2001-0025 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2001-0025 affect?

CVE-2001-0025 affects ad.cgi. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). ad.cgi CGI program by Leif Wright allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the file parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2001-0025?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-1352 MEDIUM 4.3 MITIGATE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ad.cgi script allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web
CVE-2005-1351 HIGH 7.5 MITIGATE The ad.cgi script allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the argume
CVE-2005-1350 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE The ad.cgi script allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument.

References

← Back to latest CVEs