CVE-2004-1496: Directory traversal vulnerability in Web Forums Server 1.6 and 2.0 Power Pack allows remote attackers to read

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-1496 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting web forums server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in Web Forums Server 1.6 and 2.0 Power Pack allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a URL containing (1) "..\" (dot dot backslash), (2) "../" (dot dot slash), (3) "/%2E%2E%5C" (encoded dot dot backslash), or (4) "%2E%2E%2F" (encoded dot dot slash).

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	1.5% (top 26%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: minihttpserver.net

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

minihttpserver.net web forums server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6 · 2.0_power_pack

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy web-forums-server || rpm -q web-forums-server || web-forums-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison web-forums-server sudo apt install web-forums-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo apt-mark hold web-forums-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list web-forums-server sudo dnf downgrade web-forums-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo dnf versionlock add web-forums-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-2004-1496?

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

Is CVE-2004-1496 being exploited?

CVE-2004-1496 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-2004-1496 affect?

CVE-2004-1496 affects web forums server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in Web Forums Server 1.6 and 2.0 Power Pack allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a URL containing (1) "..\" (dot dot backslash), (2) "../" (dot dot slash), (3) "/%2E%2E%5C" (encoded dot dot b

How urgent is CVE-2004-1496?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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