Apache httpd 2.2.34 is vulnerable to three significant security flaws, including one critical vulnerability that could expose sensitive authentication data. With nearly 700 websites still running this outdated version, understanding these risks is essential for protecting your web infrastructure from potential attacks.
This comprehensive guide explains what these vulnerabilities mean, how to identify if your server is affected, and the step-by-step process to secure your Apache installation. Whether you're a system administrator or business owner, taking action now is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to your systems.
SiteRecipe.com's security scanning tools can help you identify these vulnerabilities automatically across your entire web infrastructure.
Apache httpd (or Apache HTTP Server) 2.2.34 is one of the older versions of the world's most popular web server software. It's responsible for serving websites and managing connections between users' browsers and web applications. Many organizations continue running this version because they rely on stable, legacy systems and haven't upgraded to newer releases.
Version 2.2.34 was released as a maintenance update but contains multiple unpatched security vulnerabilities that were discovered after its release. These flaws can allow attackers to steal authentication credentials, read sensitive data from server memory, or bypass security restrictions. Running outdated web server software significantly increases your risk of successful cyberattacks, data breaches, and compliance violations.
3 CVEs found. The most critical are explained below.
Apache 2.2.34 has a flaw in how it processes login authentication requests. When someone tries to log in using digest authentication, the server doesn't properly clear temporary data between attempts, which could expose authentication information.
Impact: An attacker could potentially read sensitive authentication data from your server's memory, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected areas of your website.
↗ View on NVDThis vulnerability, called 'Optionsbleed,' allows attackers to read private information stored in your server's memory. It happens when certain Apache settings are misconfigured or when .htaccess files allow users to change specific restrictions.
Impact: Attackers could steal sensitive data from your server's memory, including passwords, API keys, or other confidential information used by your website.
↗ View on NVDIf your Apache server uses LDAP for user authentication and is configured with character encoding settings, attackers can send specially crafted requests to bypass login security. They exploit how the server translates character encoding based on browser language settings.
Impact: Attackers could bypass your login system and gain unauthorized access to user accounts and protected content on your website.
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Apache 2.2.34 poses serious security risks to your website and business data. The critical CVE-2017-9788 vulnerability alone can expose authentication credentials, while the other two high-severity flaws enable attackers to access sensitive information and bypass security controls. Delaying an upgrade leaves your infrastructure vulnerable to known exploit techniques that attackers actively use.
Don't leave your websites exposed to preventable attacks. SiteRecipe.com's automated vulnerability scanner identifies Apache versions and security flaws across all your domains in minutes, giving you a clear roadmap for remediation. Start your free security assessment today and take control of your web infrastructure's safety.
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