CVE-2013-4559

Name: CVE-2013-4559
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2013-11-20T14:12:30.727+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 10.72%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2013-4559 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. 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.. EPSS estimates a 10.72% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

10.72%

95.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-264

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Lighttpd	Lighttpd	< 1.4.33
Debian	Debian Linux	6.0
Debian	Debian Linux	7.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Opensuse	Opensuse	12.2
Opensuse	Opensuse	12.3
Opensuse	Opensuse	13.1

References

http://download.lighttpd.net/lighttpd/security/lighttpd_sa_2013_02.txtVendor 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
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2795Third Party Advisory
http://download.lighttpd.net/lighttpd/security/lighttpd_sa_2013_02.txtVendor 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
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2795Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 20, 2013
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2013-4559?

How severe is CVE-2013-4559?

Severity scoring for CVE-2013-4559 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 10.72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2013-4559?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2013-4559?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST