Cyber Security

Multiple Apache HTTP Server Vulnerabilities Could Enable Code Execution Attacks

The Apache Software Foundation released Apache HTTP Server 2.4.69 on October 1, 2026, addressing security flaws that could enable code execution, server crashes, data leaks, and authentication bypass under specific conditions. Apache identifies the update as the best available release of its web server.

The supplied advisory lists 20 vulnerabilities: five rated moderate and 15 rated low. Most affect versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.68, but exposure depends on enabled modules, server settings, and attacker access. The code execution risks have important limits and should not be treated as affecting every Apache installation.

Apache HTTP Server Vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-63292 affects mod_vhost_alias. A remote client could crash the server or potentially execute code through a Host header exceeding 8,192 bytes. Exploitation requires VirtualDocumentRoot to use a hostname format specifier and LimitRequestFieldSize to be raised above its default.

CVE-2026-42356 involves Apache selecting the wrong handler after certain internal redirects from CGI programs. The redirected file could be executed as CGI, but it must already exist in a CGI-enabled directory and lack an extension recognized by mod_mime. Versions 2.4.60 through 2.4.68 are affected.

These conditions matter: neither flaw establishes unrestricted code execution against default deployments. Earlier Apache HTTP Server code execution coverage examined a separate HTTP/2 double-free flaw fixed in version 2.4.67.

The following table summarizes the supplied advisory. Unless shown otherwise, affected versions are 2.4.0–2.4.68; all listed fixes are included in 2.4.69.

CVEModule or componentSeverityVulnerability or impact
CVE-2026-42356CGI handlingLowLimited code execution; 2.4.60–2.4.68.
CVE-2026-42528mod_davModerateShared-lock overflow crashes child processes; through 2.4.68.*
CVE-2026-46729mod_heartmonitorLowNull pointer crash on unicast listener
CVE-2026-47360mod_session_cookieLowSession cookies reach backend after redirects.
CVE-2026-48005mod_auth_digestLowForged headers force reauthentication
CVE-2026-56153mod_charset_liteLowHeap overflow in finish_partial_char
CVE-2026-56154mod_rewriteLowUse-after-free during lookahead
CVE-2026-56449mod_proxy_htmlLowCrafted response causes out-of-bounds write
CVE-2026-57941mod_http2ModerateShared-buffer use-after-free and memory write
CVE-2026-58415mod_dav_fsLowWebDAV property database disclosure
CVE-2026-59685Windows path handlingModerateOut-of-bounds write expanding short filenames.
CVE-2026-59797mod_sslLowPrivilege handling flaw in SSLRequire expressions.
CVE-2026-63045mod_proxy_ftpLowCrafted PASV reply redirects data connections.
CVE-2026-63292mod_vhost_aliasModerateStack overflow; crashes or possible code execution.
CVE-2026-63686mod_xml2encLowFailed charset conversion crashes proxy processing.
CVE-2026-63718mod_proxy_uwsgiLowResponse smuggling; 2.4.30–2.4.68
CVE-2026-73636mod_auth_digestLowCaptured authentication credentials can be replayed
CVE-2026-73637mod_auth_digestLowConcurrent requests corrupt authentication state
CVE-2026-79768mod_userdirLowInformation disclosure through path equivalence.
CVE-2026-93546mod_dav_fsModerateNamespace overflow; crashes and database corruption; through 2.4.68.

WebDAV users face availability and data risks. CVE-2026-93546 lets an authenticated client with write access crash workers and persistently corrupt a directory’s property database through PROPPATCH requests declaring many XML namespaces.

Proxy configurations also need attention. CVE-2026-63045 lets an untrusted FTP server direct a forward proxy’s data connection toward another host. CVE-2026-47360 can pass session cookies to a backend despite intended removal during internal redirects.

Administrators should upgrade to Apache HTTP Server 2.4.69, as the published CVE records recommend, and review whether the affected configurations are present.

Prioritize servers using the vulnerable virtual-host settings, CGI redirects, or WebDAV features. Check the Apache security advisory alongside individual CVE records for affected-version details and any later corrections. Apache notes that security impact can vary between platforms.

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Guru Baran

Gurubaran KS is a cybersecurity analyst, and Journalist with a strong focus on emerging threats and digital defense strategies. He is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cyber Security News, where he leads editorial coverage on global cybersecurity developments.

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