CVE-2021-41773
CRITICALCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
A flaw was found in a change made to path normalization in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49. An attacker could use a path traversal attack to map URLs to files outside the directories configured by Alias-like directives. If files outside of these directories are not protected by the usual default configuration "require all denied", these requests can succeed. If CGI scripts are also enabled for these aliased pathes, this could allow for remote code execution. This issue is known to be exploited in the wild. This issue only affects Apache 2.4.49 and not earlier versions. The fix in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.50 was found to be incomplete, see CVE-2021-42013.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal Vulnerability
Apache HTTP Server contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker to perform remote code execution if files outside directories configured by Alias-like directives are not under default �require all denied� or if CGI scripts are enabled. The original patch issued under this CVE ID is insufficient, please review remediation information under CVE-2021-42013.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Remediation due: 2021-11-17
Associated with ransomware campaigns
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2024-23897 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2023-32315 | High | 8.6 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2022-29464 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2021-26086 | Medium | 5.3 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2021-22005 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2020-5902 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2021-41773?
Published advisories record a fix for 12 affected products. The "How to fix" section on this page lists the fixed version and source advisory for each one, so apply the entry matching what you actually run.
Is CVE-2021-41773 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2021-41773 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. CISA has also linked it to known ransomware campaigns. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2021-11-17. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.
How severe is CVE-2021-41773?
CVE-2021-41773 has a CVSS v3 base score of 9.8, rated critical. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2021-41773 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for httpd (Amazon), httpd-debuginfo (Amazon), httpd-devel (Amazon), httpd-filesystem (Amazon), and 8 more. Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
Embed a live status badge for CVE-2021-41773
Markdown
[](https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2021-41773)HTML
<a href="https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2021-41773"><img src="https://tridentstack.com/cve/badge/CVE-2021-41773.svg" alt="CVE-2021-41773"></a>This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-06-17.