lighttpd before 1.4.33 does not check the return value of the (1) setuid, (2) setgid, or…
Priority MEDIUM 46CWE-264Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Complete · Complete · Complete
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-264.
Summary
lighttpd before 1.4.33 does not check the return value of the (1) setuid, (2) setgid, or (3) setgroups functions, which might cause lighttpd to run as root if it is restarted and allows remote attackers to gain privileges, as demonstrated by multiple calls to the clone function that cause setuid to fail when the user process limit is reached.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.10721 95th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:lighttpd:lighttpd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 1.4.33 | Vulnerable | lighttpd |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 12.2 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 12.3 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:13.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 13.1 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
- cpe:2.3:a:lighttpd:lighttpd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 1.4.33 Vulnerable ·lighttpd
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 12.2 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 12.3 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:13.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 13.1 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2013-4559
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-pfcc-94ff-p2cv
References
Advisory 7
- HPSBGN03191
- http://download.lighttpd.net/lighttpd/security/lighttpd_sa_2013_02.txt
- openSUSE-SU-2014:0072
- DSA-2795
- [oss-security] 20131112 Re: CVE Request: lighttpd multiple issues (setuid/... unchecked return value, FAM: read after free)
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10310
- JVN#37417423
Sources
- CVE-2013-4559 · CVE Program
- CVE-2013-4559 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-pfcc-94ff-p2cv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2013-4559 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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