HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2002-0591
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2002-0591

NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: June 18, 2002· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

5.0
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.8 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files and execute commands via a Direct Connection with an IMG tag with a SRC attribute that specifies the target filename.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2002-0591 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2002-0591. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityP
AvailabilityNone
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

aol1 product(s)
instant messenger
Source: NVD CPE · 9 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-04/0203.html
PATCHhttp://www.iss.net/security_center/static/8870.php
PATCHhttp://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-04/0203.html
PATCHhttp://www.iss.net/security_center/static/8870.php
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4526
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4526

All References (6)

→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-04/0203.htmlExploit · Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/8870.phpPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4526Exploit · Vendor Advisory
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-04/0203.htmlExploit · Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/8870.phpPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4526Exploit · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2002-0591
CVSS Score5.0 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 18, 2002

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)

CVE-2002-1468
10.0
CVE-1999-0745
10.0
CVE-2001-1080
10.0
CVE-1999-1405
10.0
CVE-2002-0747
10.0
CVE-1999-0789
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2002-0591 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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