CVE-2002-1864: Directory traversal vulnerability in Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to re

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1864 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting sws simple web server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ".." (dot dot) in an HTTP request.

Why this priority

EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	17.8% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: sws

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sws sws simple web server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.0.3 · 0.0.4 · 0.1.0 · 0.1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.0.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy sws-simple-web-server || rpm -q sws-simple-web-server || sws-simple-web-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sws-simple-web-server sudo apt install sws-simple-web-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.0.3> sudo apt-mark hold sws-simple-web-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list sws-simple-web-server sudo dnf downgrade sws-simple-web-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add sws-simple-web-server

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.

Metasploit: Simple Web Server 2.3-RC1 Directory Traversal

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-2002-1864?

sws simple web server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-1864 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1864 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-2002-1864 affect?

CVE-2002-1864 affects sws simple web server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ".." (dot dot) in an HTTP request.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1864?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

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References

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