CVE-2024-42516 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the Apache HTTP Server. This vulnerability allows HTTP response splitting, which could be exploited by attackers who can manipulate the Content-Type response headers of applications hosted or proxied by the server. Such exploitation could lead to significant security issues, including unauthorized data access or manipulation.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability is considered high in severity. The impact is especially severe due to potential integrity violations, risking the reliability of web applications. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is critical, particularly in light of its potential exploitation.
Apache has advised users to upgrade to version 2.4.64, which rectifies this issue. The vulnerability was previously described as CVE-2023-38709, and the patch included in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.59 did not adequately address the issue.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
According to the official description, HTTP response splitting in the core of Apache HTTP Server allows an attacker to split the HTTP response if they can manipulate the Content-Type response headers of applications hosted or proxied by the server. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating high severity. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low. Importantly, no privileges or user interaction are required for exploitation.
Organizations using versions of Apache HTTP Server prior to 2.4.64 are affected. The vulnerability was published on July 10, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of Content-Type response headers, which can allow attackers to manipulate the HTTP response. The attack vector being network-based, attackers do not require physical or direct access to the server, making the exploitation relatively straightforward.
The attack complexity is classified as low, indicating that the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort. No privileges are needed for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, and no user interaction is required, making it even more dangerous.
The potential impacts of the vulnerability include integrity violations, as attackers could manipulate the data sent to clients or other servers. However, there is no impact on confidentiality or availability, making it an integrity-focused attack.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2024-42516 is significant. Organizations relying on Apache HTTP Server for their applications need to be aware of the potential for attackers to exploit this vulnerability to manipulate HTTP responses.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, especially for organizations that host multiple applications on their servers. An attacker successfully exploiting this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of data for all applications hosted on the affected servers, leading to cascading failures or data breaches.
Given the high CVSS score and the potential for exploitation, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle. The urgency for remediation is high, necessitating immediate attention and action.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch 2.4.64 are affected. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.64 or later. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the affected services.
Additionally, organizations should monitor their applications for unusual behavior that could indicate an exploitation attempt.
For further assistance in securing your applications, organizations may consider utilizing penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unexpected HTTP responses or unusual Content-Type headers that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies in application responses should also be investigated.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-42516 lies in the fact that it highlights the ongoing challenges in web application security, particularly regarding the handling of HTTP responses. Security teams should take note of the patterns it represents, as similar vulnerabilities may emerge in other widely-used software.
This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to proactively assess their web applications for vulnerabilities related to response handling and ensure robust security testing is implemented.
Organizations can enhance their security posture by integrating penetration testing methodology into their software development lifecycle.
For further insights and strategic defensive takeaways, organizations can refer to resources on vulnerability management programs and continuous security testing.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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