CVE-2005-4421: Dev-Editor 3.0 allows remote attackers to access any directory outside the web root whose name is a substring

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-4421 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting dev-editor. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Dev-Editor 3.0 allows remote attackers to access any directory outside the web root whose name is a substring of the web root directory name.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-12-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: dev-editor

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-12-20 11:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dev-editor dev-editor DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1 · 2.1a · 2.2a · 2.3 · 2.3.1 · 2.3.2 · 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dev-editor || rpm -q dev-editor || dev-editor --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dev-editor sudo apt install dev-editor=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold dev-editor

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

dnf --showduplicates list dev-editor sudo dnf downgrade dev-editor-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add dev-editor

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-2005-4421?

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

Is CVE-2005-4421 being exploited?

CVE-2005-4421 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-2005-4421 affect?

CVE-2005-4421 affects dev-editor. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Dev-Editor 3.0 allows remote attackers to access any directory outside the web root whose name is a substring of the web root directory name.

How urgent is CVE-2005-4421?

Priority 45/100. High severity

References

← Back to latest CVEs