Description
mod_userdir in lighttpd 1.4.18 and earlier, when userdir.path is not set, uses a default of $HOME, which might allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files, as demonstrated by accessing the ~nobody directory.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | lighttpd | 1.4.19-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | lighttpd | 1.4.19-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | lighttpd | 1.4.19-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | lighttpd | 1.4.13-4etch6 | DSA-1521-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | lighttpd | 1.4.59-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10585-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Lighttpd 1.4.x - mod_userdir Information Disclosure EDB-31396 · remote · Mar 12, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- DSA-1521-1 lighttpd - arbitrary file disclosure Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10585-1 lighttpd-1.4.59-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2344
- 29622 third-party-advisory
- 29318 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:008 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200804-08 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1521 vendor-advisory
- http://www.lighttpd.net/security/lighttpd_sa_2008_03.txt
- 20080312 rPSA-2008-0106-1 lighttpd mailing-list
- 29636 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2008-0885 vdb-entry
- 28226 vdb-entry
- http://trac.lighttpd.net/trac/ticket/1587
- 29403 third-party-advisory
- http://www.lighttpd.net/2008/3/10/1-4-19-made-in-germany
- https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=212930
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0106
- lighttpd-moduserdir-information-disclosure(41173) vdb-entry