CVE-2009-0331: Directory traversal vulnerability in gallery/comment.php in Enhanced Simple PHP Gallery (ESPG) 1.72 allows rem

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-0331 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting espg. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in gallery/comment.php in Enhanced Simple PHP Gallery (ESPG) 1.72 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter. NOTE: the vulnerability may be in my little homepage Comment script. If so, then this should not be treated as a vulnerability in ESPG.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2009-01-29
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: quirm

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-01-29 18:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

quirm espg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.72

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.72

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy espg || rpm -q espg || espg --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.72 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison espg sudo apt install espg=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.72> sudo apt-mark hold espg

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

dnf --showduplicates list espg sudo dnf downgrade espg-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.72> sudo dnf versionlock add espg

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.

Exploit-DB: ESPG (Enhanced Simple PHP Gallery) 1.72 - File Disclosure

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-2009-0331?

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

Is CVE-2009-0331 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0331 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-2009-0331 affect?

CVE-2009-0331 affects espg. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Directory traversal vulnerability in gallery/comment.php in Enhanced Simple PHP Gallery (ESPG) 1.72 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter. NOTE: the vulnerability may be in my little homep

How urgent is CVE-2009-0331?

Priority 54/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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