Apache HTTP Server up to 2.0.44 Linefeed memory allocation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apache HTTP Server up to 2.0.44 and classified as critical. This impacts an unknown function of the component Linefeed Handler. This manipulation causes memory allocation. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2003-0132. The attack can be initiated remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apache HTTP Server up to 2.0.44 (Web Server) and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown part of the component Linefeed Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory allocation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-789. The product allocates memory based on an untrusted, large size value, but it does not ensure that the size is within expected limits, allowing arbitrary amounts of memory to be allocated. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

A memory leak in Apache 2.0 through 2.0.44 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via large chunks of linefeed characters, which causes Apache to allocate 80 bytes for each linefeed.

The weakness was released 04/03/2003 by David Endler with Apache.org (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at apache.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0132 since 03/13/2003. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed by Daniel Nystram in ANSI C and been published 2 weeks after the advisory. It is possible to download the exploit at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 11507 (Apache 2.0.x < 2.0.45 Multiple Vulnerabilities (DoS, File Write)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Web Servers. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86482 (Apache 2.x HTTP Server Linefeed Memory Allocation Denial of Service Vulnerability).

Upgrading to version 2.0.45 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at httpd.apache.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 11272. In this case the pattern |0D 0A 0D 0A| is used for detection. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 5049.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11695), Exploit-DB (11), Tenable (11507), SecurityFocus (BID 7254†) and OSVDB (9712†). Additional details are provided at securityfocus.com. Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-26, VDB-81, VDB-80 and VDB-570. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory allocation
CWE: CWE-789 / CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Author: Daniel Nystram
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 11507
Nessus Name: Apache 2.0.x < 2.0.45 Multiple Vulnerabilities (DoS, File Write)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 100171
OpenVAS Name: Apache Web Server Linefeed Memory Allocation Denial Of Service Vulnerability
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍

Upgrade: HTTP Server 2.0.45
Patch: httpd.apache.org

Snort ID: 11272
Snort Message: WEB-MISC Apache newline exploit attempt
Snort Pattern: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/13/2003 🔍
04/02/2003 +20 days 🔍
04/03/2003 +1 days 🔍
04/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
04/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +8 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/19/2003 +191 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +172 days 🔍
05/01/2009 +1848 days 🔍
08/24/2025 +5959 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apache.org

Advisory: apache.org
Researcher: David Endler
Organization: Apache.org
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-0132 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0132
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-31

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 11695 - Apache HTTP Server LF (Line Feed) denial of service, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 7254 - Apache Web Server Linefeed Memory Allocation Denial Of Service Vulnerability
Secunia: 34920 - CA ARCserve Backup Apache HTTP Server Multiple Vulnerabilities, Less Critical
OSVDB: 9712 - Apache HTTP Server Multiple Linefeed Request Memory Consumption DoS
Vulnerability Center: 2616 - DoS in Apache Web Server 2.0-2.0.44 LineFeed Memory Allocation, High
Vupen: ADV-2009-1233

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/03/2003 02:00
Updated: 08/24/2025 21:38
Changes: 04/03/2003 02:00 (113), 05/23/2019 13:29 (1), 03/08/2021 08:19 (3), 09/24/2024 14:58 (14), 12/15/2024 22:03 (1), 08/24/2025 21:38 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:A70:103

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