CVE-2026-23579
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2026
Not used
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2026
cve-2023-45864 represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability affecting the apache http server version 2.4.57 and earlier releases. this flaw resides within the mod_ssl module which handles secure socket layer operations for http connections. the vulnerability manifests when the server processes certain ssl handshake requests that contain malformed certificate data, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected.
the technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of certificate structures during ssl negotiation phases. specifically when processing client certificates with malformed extensions or invalid signature algorithms, the mod_ssl module fails to properly sanitize input parameters before storing them in internal memory buffers. this inadequate sanitization creates a condition where adjacent memory segments containing sensitive data such as session tokens, private keys, or configuration details become accessible through crafted malicious requests.
from an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on apache http server for web services and api endpoints. attackers can leverage this flaw to perform information disclosure attacks that may lead to credential theft, session hijacking, or exposure of sensitive system configurations. the impact extends beyond simple data leakage as the extracted information could enable further exploitation attempts including privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments. security teams must consider that this vulnerability affects not only web applications but also any service utilizing ssl termination through apache http server installations.
the attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system running vulnerable apache versions where ssl termination occurs, particularly affecting load balancers, reverse proxies, and api gateways that utilize mod_ssl for secure communications. organizations with certificate-based authentication systems face heightened risk as attackers can exploit this flaw to extract certificate information from memory. the vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where sensitive data is processed through ssl connections, as it provides an indirect method for accessing protected information without requiring direct system compromise.
mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected apache http server installations to version 2.4.58 or later which includes the necessary fixes for certificate validation routines. organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those handling sensitive data. additional defensive measures include monitoring ssl handshake patterns for unusual requests that might indicate exploitation attempts and implementing strict certificate validation policies at both server and client levels. security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all apache installations and consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify malformed ssl requests that could exploit this information disclosure flaw.
this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwecwe-20 which describes improper input validation in software systems, and maps to attack technique t1566 in the attack tactics and techniques framework where attackers leverage credential access methods through information disclosure vulnerabilities. organizations should also reference nist cybersecurity framework guidelines for managing information security risks related to web application vulnerabilities and consider implementing zero trust network architectures that minimize the impact of such exposure scenarios.
the remediation process requires careful coordination between system administrators and security teams to ensure complete patch deployment without disrupting ongoing services. regular security audits should include verification of apache http server versions and configuration settings to prevent recurrence of similar issues. organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle information disclosure vulnerabilities that may not immediately manifest as obvious service disruptions but could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent attacks against their infrastructure.
the broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation opportunities to highlight the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust input validation controls throughout software development lifecycles. organizations should evaluate their current security monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous ssl traffic patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of this or similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in their environments.