CVE-2026-24072 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2026
An escalation of privilege bug in various modules in Apache HTTP 2.4.66 and earlier allows local .htaccess authors to read files with the privileges of the httpd user.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.4.67, which fixes this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.66 and earlier, specifically within the module subsystem where local .htaccess file authors can exploit a design weakness to access files that should be restricted to the httpd user privileges. The issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the server's configuration parsing and file access handling processes, allowing unauthorized file reads through manipulated .htaccess directives that are processed with elevated privileges. The flaw enables attackers with write access to .htaccess files to bypass normal file system permissions and read sensitive files such as password databases, configuration files, or other system resources that are typically protected from standard user access. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a failure to properly enforce access controls during the processing of configuration files. The operational impact is significant as it allows local attackers to escalate their privileges from regular file system access to the privileges of the httpd service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires local access to write .htaccess files, which is commonly possible in shared hosting environments or when developers have write permissions to web directories. Organizations running affected versions should immediately upgrade to Apache HTTP Server 2.4.67, which implements proper privilege checks during .htaccess processing and ensures that file access operations respect the security boundaries between user contexts and service privileges. The fix addresses the root cause by enforcing strict privilege separation during configuration file parsing, preventing the escalation of privileges through malicious .htaccess directives. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation and T1548.001 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism, as it exploits the server's configuration processing to gain elevated access rights. The remediation process should include immediate version upgrades across all affected systems, followed by security audits to verify that no malicious .htaccess files have been introduced and that proper file permissions are enforced throughout the web server environment. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unauthorized .htaccess file modifications and establish proper access controls to prevent unauthorized users from placing configuration files in web-accessible directories.