CVE-2026-44119

What it actually does

Apache HTTP Server 2.4.67 and earlier contains an improper privilege management flaw in how locally supplied .htaccess configuration can be processed. A user who can create or modify .htaccess files can cause Apache to read files using the privileges of the running httpd process, rather than being limited to the author’s intended permissions. The primary impact is unauthorized file disclosure: files readable by the Apache worker account may be exposed to a lower-privileged local web author. The CVSS vector indicates local access with low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact, with no direct integrity or availability impact.

Why it matters to the business

Organizations that allow delegated web content management, shared hosting, multi-tenant web directories, developer-managed document roots, or application upload paths where .htaccess files can be written are most exposed. Successful exploitation can reveal application configuration files, credentials, API keys, tokens, source code, or other data readable by the Apache service account, potentially enabling follow-on compromise of applications or connected systems. This issue is not currently listed in CISA KEV, has no known ransomware association, and has a low EPSS score, but it has been publicly disclosed for more than 60 days, so internet-facing and shared-hosting deployments should still prioritize remediation.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker first needs legitimate or compromised local capability to write a .htaccess file in a directory where Apache honors per-directory overrides. This could come from a compromised web author account, a vulnerable file upload feature that permits .htaccess placement, a shared hosting account, or access to a content repository that deploys into the web root. The attacker then creates or modifies .htaccess content to trigger the vulnerable privilege handling path. When Apache processes a request for that directory, it interprets the attacker-controlled .htaccess file and reads a target file using the httpd process privileges. If the file contents are exposed in the HTTP response, an error response, generated output, or another observable side effect, the attacker retrieves data they could not otherwise read directly. The attacker may then use disclosed secrets such as database credentials, application keys, cloud tokens, or source code to pivot to higher-value systems.

How to fix it

Upgrade Apache HTTP Server to version 2.4.68 or later. Where vendor packages are used, install the distribution-provided fixed package that backports the patch, even if the displayed upstream version string differs. As compensating controls, disable .htaccess processing wherever practical by using `AllowOverride None` and moving required configuration into centrally managed server or virtual host configuration. Restrict which users and deployment processes can write .htaccess files. Ensure the Apache service account cannot read secrets that do not need to be served or processed by the web server. Separate tenants, applications, and virtual hosts with distinct operating-system users and file permissions where possible. Review upload functionality to ensure users cannot upload or overwrite .htaccess files unless explicitly required.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm the running Apache version is 2.4.68 or later, or that the operating-system package includes the vendor’s fix for this vulnerability. Use commands such as `httpd -v`, `apache2 -v`, `apachectl -v`, and the system package manager to verify the installed and running build. Restart or reload Apache after patching and confirm old worker processes are no longer running. Audit Apache configuration for directories using `AllowOverride` and verify .htaccess processing is disabled where not required. Confirm web content authors and upload paths cannot create or modify .htaccess files unexpectedly. Validate file permissions by ensuring sensitive files such as application secrets, private keys, backups, and environment files are not readable by the Apache runtime account unless strictly necessary.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain low-privileged local access or the ability to write web content in a directory served by Apache.
2. Confirm that Apache honors .htaccess files for that directory, typically through enabled AllowOverride behavior.
3. Create or modify a .htaccess file containing directives that exercise the vulnerable file-read behavior.
4. Send HTTP requests to the affected directory or crafted paths that cause Apache to parse the malicious .htaccess file.
5. Retrieve file contents or sensitive data exposed through Apache’s response or related output.
6. Use disclosed credentials, tokens, configuration values, or source code for follow-on access or lateral movement.

How to detect it

Investigate whether untrusted users could write .htaccess files on affected Apache systems. Review file integrity monitoring, deployment logs, source control history, endpoint telemetry, and filesystem metadata for new or modified `.htaccess` files, especially in writable web directories and after the disclosure date. Correlate .htaccess changes with Apache access logs for unusual requests to the same directories, repeated probing, unexpected 200 responses, abnormal response sizes, or requests for paths that do not map to normal application behavior. Review Apache error logs for configuration parsing errors, authorization errors, unusual handler behavior, or file access failures occurring immediately after .htaccess changes. Examine whether any disclosed data could include credentials, keys, configuration files, backups, or source code, and rotate secrets if exposure cannot be ruled out. Because exploitation depends on crafted .htaccess behavior and may not leave a unique network signature, detection should focus on unauthorized .htaccess modifications, suspicious local write activity, and anomalous HTTP responses following those modifications.

• .htaccess
• AllowOverride
• GET /.htaccess
• POST /.htaccess
• PUT /.htaccess
• /.env
• /config.php
• /wp-config.php
• /WEB-INF/web.xml
• /backup
• /backup.zip
• /backup.tar
• /server-status
• client denied by server configuration
• Invalid command
• RewriteRule
• SetHandler
• AddHandler
• ErrorDocument

What your security team should do

• Patch Apache HTTP Server to 2.4.68 or the vendor-fixed equivalent as the primary remediation.
• Prioritize systems that allow untrusted or semi-trusted users to write web content, especially shared hosting, multi-tenant, CMS, developer sandbox, and upload-enabled environments.
• Inventory directories where `AllowOverride` is enabled and remove .htaccess support where operationally unnecessary.
• Audit recent .htaccess file creations and modifications, especially after the public disclosure date.
• Review Apache access and error logs for suspicious requests to directories where .htaccess files changed recently.
• Harden file permissions so the Apache service account cannot read credentials, backups, source repositories, private keys, or administrative files that do not need to be accessed by the web server.
• Add file integrity monitoring for .htaccess files and alert on unexpected creation or modification.
• Review application upload controls to prevent upload of `.htaccess` files or disguised equivalents.
• If sensitive files may have been exposed, rotate affected credentials, tokens, API keys, and application secrets.