SSRF in Apache Http_server

CVE-2021-40438

A crafted request uri-path can cause mod_proxy to forward the request to an origin server choosen by the remote user. This issue affects Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 and earlier.

Vulnerability class: SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery)

EPSS: 1.000 (100.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 9.0 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)

This CVE is on the CISA KEV catalog, added on . CISA KEV inclusion means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation; US federal agencies are required to remediate within a published due date.

BOD 22-01 due date: .

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40438?
CVE-2021-40438 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Http_server, classified under Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). CVSS score: 9.0/10. Published 2021-09-16.
How severe is CVE-2021-40438?
Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.0 out of 10.
Is CVE-2021-40438 known to be exploited?
Yes. CVE-2021-40438 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-12-01), indicating it is being actively exploited. 73 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.