Remote code execution via backend-controlled handler confusion
Published Jul 1, 2024 · Updated Nov 3, 2025
Handler confusion in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.59 and earlier allows remote attackers to disclose data, make proxy requests, or run scripts via backend headers. During a backend-driven internal redirect, ap_internal_redirect_handler copies the prior Content-Type into a new request, and ap_invoke_handler treats it as the handler name. Exploitation requires control of backend response Content-Type and Location headers, such as through response-header injection or SSRF, and can expose server data, initiate outbound requests, or invoke local handlers.
Summary
What happened
Handler confusion in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.59 and earlier allows remote attackers to disclose data, make proxy requests, or run scripts via backend headers. During a backend-driven internal redirect, ap_internal_redirect_handler copies the prior Content-Type into a new request, and ap_invoke_handler treats it as the handler name. Exploitation requires control of backend response Content-Type and Location headers, such as through response-header injection or SSRF, and can expose server data, initiate outbound requests, or invoke local handlers.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-38476
- Published
- Jul 1, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 3, 2025
- Vendor
- The Apache Software Foundation
- Product
- Apache HTTP Server
- Classifications
- CWE-829, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 1, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 3, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=2.4.59
- Affected versionversion=2.4.0 <=2.4.59
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Handler Confusion internal-redirect demonstrationsproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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