HIGH
CVE-2013-4559
CWE-264Published: November 20, 2013· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
7.6
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
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.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2013-4559 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.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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
All References (16)
→
http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN37417423/index.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-01/msg00049.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576815022399&w=2Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/55682Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/11/12/4Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10310Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2795Third Party Advisory
→
http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN37417423/index.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-01/msg00049.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576815022399&w=2Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/55682Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/11/12/4Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10310Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2013-4559
CVSS Score7.6 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-264
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 20, 2013
Related CVEs (CWE-264)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2013-4559 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.