Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2019-16278: Nostromo nhttpd Directory Traversal Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). Directory Traversal in the function httpverify in nostromo nhttpd through 1.9.6 allows an attacker to achieve remote code execution via a crafted HTTP request.
CISA KEV · added 2024-11-07 CVSS 9.8 Critical EPSS 99.0% · p99.9
Should you act?
Exploited: patch now if you run it
CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Yes, if you run Nostromo nhttpd. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-11-07, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-11-28; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 99.0%, percentile 99.9: FIRST’s model estimates a 99.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
What it is
Directory Traversal in the function httpverify in nostromo nhttpd through 1.9.6 allows an attacker to achieve remote code execution via a crafted HTTP request.
CISA’s summary
Nostromo nhttpd contains a directory traversal vulnerability in the http_verify() function in a non-chrooted nhttpd server allowing for remote code execution.
Weakness type: CWE-22.
Product: Nostromo nhttpd · Assigned by: mitre · Published: 2019-10-14
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | see vendor advisory |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA-ADP | 3.1 | 9.8 Critical | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: added 2024-11-07; federal due date 2024-11-28. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable yes, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 99.03% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.9.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by mitre
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- Listed in CISA KEV notes (nazgul.ch) nazgul.ch
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2019-16278 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2019-16278 nvd.nist.gov
Government
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- nazgul.ch nazgul.ch
- sp0re.sh sp0re.sh
- git.sp0re.sh git.sp0re.sh
- packetstormsecurity.com packetstormsecurity.com
- packetstormsecurity.com packetstormsecurity.com
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