CVE-2002-2081: cphost.dll in Microsoft Site Server 3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (disk consumption

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-2081 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting site server, site server commerce. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

cphost.dll in Microsoft Site Server 3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) via an HTTP POST of a file with a long TargetURL parameter, which causes Site Server to abort and leaves the uploaded file in c:\temp.

Why this priority

EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	15.4% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: microsoft

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

microsoft site server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0 · 3.0 apha · 3.0 sp1 · 3.0 sp1_alpha · 3.0 sp2 · 3.0 sp2_alpha · 3.0 sp3 · 3.0 sp3_alpha

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy site-server || rpm -q site-server || site-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison site-server sudo apt install site-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold site-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list site-server sudo dnf downgrade site-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add site-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.

microsoft site server commerce DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0 · 3.0 alpha · 3.0 sp1_alpha · 3.0 sp2_alpha · 3.0 sp3_alpha · 3.0 sp4_alpha

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy site-server-commerce || rpm -q site-server-commerce || site-server-commerce --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison site-server-commerce sudo apt install site-server-commerce=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold site-server-commerce

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

dnf --showduplicates list site-server-commerce sudo dnf downgrade site-server-commerce-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add site-server-commerce

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-2002-2081?

site server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; site server commerce: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-2081 being exploited?

CVE-2002-2081 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-2002-2081 affect?

CVE-2002-2081 affects site server, site server commerce. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). cphost.dll in Microsoft Site Server 3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) via an HTTP POST of a file with a long TargetURL parameter, which causes Site Server to abort and leaves the uploaded file in c:

How urgent is CVE-2002-2081?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

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References

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