CVE-2002-1866: Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 does not close file descriptors for 404 error messages, which coul

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1866 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.

Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 does not close file descriptors for 404 error messages, which could allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (file descriptor exhaustion) via multiple requests for pages that do not exist.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 25%)
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.

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-2002-1866?

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

Is CVE-2002-1866 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1866 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-2002-1866 affect?

CVE-2002-1866 affects sws simple web server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Simple Web Server (SWS) 0.0.4 through 0.1.0 does not close file descriptors for 404 error messages, which could allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (file descriptor exhaustion) via multiple requests for pages that do not exi

How urgent is CVE-2002-1866?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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