Apache HTTP Server up to 2.4.59 mod_rewrite encoding error

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Apache HTTP Server up to 2.4.59. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component mod_rewrite. This manipulation causes encoding error. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2024-38474. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apache HTTP Server up to 2.4.59. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown processing of the component mod_rewrite. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a encoding error vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-172. The product does not properly encode or decode the data, resulting in unexpected values. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Substitution encoding issue in mod_rewrite in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.59 and earlier allows attacker to execute scripts in directories permitted by the configuration but not directly reachable by any URL or source disclosure of scripts meant to only to be executed as CGI. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.4.60, which fixes this issue. Some RewriteRules that capture and substitute unsafely will now fail unless rewrite flag "UnsafeAllow3F" is specified.

The advisory is shared at lists.apache.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2024-38474 since 06/17/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/04/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 209265 (Debian dla-3921 : apache2 - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 2.4.60 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at https.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (209265) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2024-1504). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• IBM Tivoli Monitoring
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Fedora Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• F5 BIG-IP
• SUSE Linux
• IBM HTTP Server
• Oracle Linux
• Xerox FreeFlow Print Server
• Gentoo Linux
• Hitachi Ops Center
• IBM Business Automation Workflow
• Hitachi Configuration Manager
• RESF Rocky Linux
• IBM Rational ClearQuest
• Dell PowerScale OneFS
• Apache HTTP Server
• Dell NetWorker
• IBM Rational Build Forge
• HCL Commerce
• SonicWall SMA
• Dell ECS
• HPE HP-UX
• Red Hat JBoss Core Services
• Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

Productinfo

Type

• Web Server

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• HTTP Server

Version

• 2.4.0
• 2.4.1
• 2.4.2
• 2.4.3
• 2.4.4
• 2.4.5
• 2.4.6
• 2.4.7
• 2.4.8
• 2.4.9
• 2.4.10
• 2.4.11
• 2.4.12
• 2.4.13
• 2.4.14
• 2.4.15
• 2.4.16
• 2.4.17
• 2.4.18
• 2.4.19
• 2.4.20
• 2.4.21
• 2.4.22
• 2.4.23
• 2.4.24
• 2.4.25
• 2.4.26
• 2.4.27
• 2.4.28
• 2.4.29
• 2.4.30
• 2.4.31
• 2.4.32
• 2.4.33
• 2.4.34
• 2.4.35
• 2.4.36
• 2.4.37
• 2.4.38
• 2.4.39
• 2.4.40
• 2.4.41
• 2.4.42
• 2.4.43
• 2.4.44
• 2.4.45
• 2.4.46
• 2.4.47
• 2.4.48
• 2.4.49
• 2.4.50
• 2.4.51
• 2.4.52
• 2.4.53
• 2.4.54
• 2.4.55
• 2.4.56
• 2.4.57
• 2.4.58
• 2.4.59

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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CVSSv4info

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Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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