CVE-2002-0435: Race condition in the recursive (1) directory deletion and (2) directory move in GNU File Utilities (fileutils

Routine

LOW 1.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0435 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 1.2) affecting fileutils. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Race condition in the recursive (1) directory deletion and (2) directory move in GNU File Utilities (fileutils) 4.1 and earlier allows local users to delete directories as the user running fileutils by moving a low-level directory to a higher level as it is being deleted, which causes fileutils to chdir to a ".." directory that is higher than expected, possibly up to the root file system.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	1.2 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 73%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-07-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-07-26 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu fileutils DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.1 · 4.1.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy fileutils || rpm -q fileutils || fileutils --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison fileutils sudo apt install fileutils=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold fileutils

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

dnf --showduplicates list fileutils sudo dnf downgrade fileutils-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add fileutils

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.

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-2002-0435?

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

Is CVE-2002-0435 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0435 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-2002-0435 affect?

CVE-2002-0435 affects fileutils. Severity is low (CVSS 1.2). Race condition in the recursive (1) directory deletion and (2) directory move in GNU File Utilities (fileutils) 4.1 and earlier allows local users to delete directories as the user running fileutils by moving a low-level directory to a high

How urgent is CVE-2002-0435?

Priority 11/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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