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CVE-2024-40725: Medium Vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server

A medium-severity vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.61 allows for potential source code disclosure due to a partial fix for a previous issue. Organizations should upgrade to version 2.4.62 to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

MEDIUMPublic ExploitCVSS 5.3 · Published July 18, 2024

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This vulnerability allows for source code disclosure in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.61 due to a partial fix for CVE-2024-39884. Under certain circumstances, legacy content-type based configurations can lead to PHP scripts being served instead of executed. The CVSS score of 5.3 classifies this vulnerability as medium severity, indicating a moderate risk that organizations must address.

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive source code, which could lead to further exploitation of the server. The vulnerability has been confirmed to have a known exploit, emphasizing the urgency of remediation. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

Users are advised to upgrade to Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.62, which addresses this vulnerability effectively. Failure to apply this patch may result in significant security risks.

Given the potential for significant impact, organizations utilizing affected versions of Apache should act swiftly to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

A partial fix for CVE-2024-39884 in the core of Apache HTTP Server 2.4.61 ignores some uses of the legacy content-type based configuration of handlers. The "AddType" and similar configurations, when files are requested indirectly, can result in the disclosure of local content, including PHP scripts that may be served instead of interpreted.

This vulnerability falls under the CWE-668 category, which relates to the exposure of sensitive information through a configuration oversight. The vulnerability was published on July 18, 2024, and is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.3.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of legacy content-type based configurations, where certain indirect file requests can lead to unintended source code disclosure. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability has a confidentiality impact classified as low, with no integrity or availability impact.

Risk & Impact Analysis

In a real-world deployment, this vulnerability poses a risk of source code disclosure, which can be exploited by attackers to gain insights into application logic or to execute further attacks against the server. The potential blast radius includes any organization relying on affected versions of Apache HTTP Server, emphasizing the significance of immediate action.

With a CVSS score of 5.3, the urgency assessment indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The knowledge of a known exploit further intensifies the need for swift remediation.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of Apache HTTP Server include 2.4.60 and 2.4.61. Organizations running these versions should upgrade to 2.4.62 to remediate this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should upgrade to Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.62, which includes the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing additional security measures, such as restricting access to sensitive files and monitoring for unusual access patterns.

Detection Guidance

Monitor logs for any indications of unauthorized access to PHP scripts or other sensitive files. Look for anomalous requests that may suggest indirect file access attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining software updates and understanding configuration impacts. This incident represents a trend in vulnerabilities related to misconfigurations and the need for robust security practices.

Security teams should leverage insights from this vulnerability to enhance their security posture and develop more comprehensive testing frameworks, such as engaging in penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their systems.

Furthermore, organizations should consider adopting robust application security assessments to ensure that configuration settings do not expose sensitive data inadvertently.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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