Multiple Apache HTTP Server Vulnerabilities Could Enable Code Execution Attacks

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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.

CVE Module or component Severity Vulnerability or impact
CVE-2026-42356 CGI handling Low Limited code execution; 2.4.60–2.4.68.
CVE-2026-42528 mod_dav Moderate Shared-lock overflow crashes child processes; through 2.4.68.*
CVE-2026-46729 mod_heartmonitor Low Null pointer crash on unicast listener
CVE-2026-47360 mod_session_cookie Low Session cookies reach backend after redirects.
CVE-2026-48005 mod_auth_digest Low Forged headers force reauthentication
CVE-2026-56153 mod_charset_lite Low Heap overflow in finish_partial_char
CVE-2026-56154 mod_rewrite Low Use-after-free during lookahead
CVE-2026-56449 mod_proxy_html Low Crafted response causes out-of-bounds write
CVE-2026-57941 mod_http2 Moderate Shared-buffer use-after-free and memory write
CVE-2026-58415 mod_dav_fs Low WebDAV property database disclosure
CVE-2026-59685 Windows path handling Moderate Out-of-bounds write expanding short filenames.
CVE-2026-59797 mod_ssl Low Privilege handling flaw in SSLRequire expressions.
CVE-2026-63045 mod_proxy_ftp Low Crafted PASV reply redirects data connections.
CVE-2026-63292 mod_vhost_alias Moderate Stack overflow; crashes or possible code execution.
CVE-2026-63686 mod_xml2enc Low Failed charset conversion crashes proxy processing.
CVE-2026-63718 mod_proxy_uwsgi Low Response smuggling; 2.4.30–2.4.68
CVE-2026-73636 mod_auth_digest Low Captured authentication credentials can be replayed
CVE-2026-73637 mod_auth_digest Low Concurrent requests corrupt authentication state
CVE-2026-79768 mod_userdir Low Information disclosure through path equivalence.
CVE-2026-93546 mod_dav_fs Moderate Namespace 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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