Description
The ap_get_mime_headers_core function in Apache httpd 2.0.49 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory exhaustion), and possibly an integer signedness error leading to a heap-based buffer overflow on 64 bit systems, via long header lines with large numbers of space or tab characters.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | apache2 | 2.0.50-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | apache2 | 2.0.50-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | apache2 | 2.0.50-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | httpd +1 | 2.0.46-32.ent.3 | RHSA-2004:342 |
| RHEL 3 | mod_ssl | 1:2.0.46-32.ent.3 | RHSA-2004:342 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 2
- Apache - Arbitrary Long HTTP Headers Denial of Service EDB-371 · dos · Aug 2, 2004 · verified
- Apache - Arbitrary Long HTTP Headers (Denial of Service) EDB-360 · dos · Jul 22, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2004:342 Red Hat Security Advisory: httpd security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- 2004-0039 vendor-advisory
- 20040629 TSSA-2004-012 - apache mailing-list
- 10619 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2004:342 vendor-advisory
- 20040628 DoS in apache httpd 2.0.49, yet still apache much better than windows mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10605 vdb-entry signature
- apache-apgetmimeheaderscore-dos(16524) vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2004:064 vendor-advisory
- SSRT4777 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200407-03 vendor-advisory
- http://www.guninski.com/httpd1.html
- http://www.apacheweek.com/features/security-20
- [httpd-cvs] 20190815 svn commit: r1048742 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabilit mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20190815 svn commit: r1048743 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabilit mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20200401 svn commit: r1058586 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabilit mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20200401 svn commit: r1058587 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabilit mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073139 [1/13] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/json/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073139 [3/13] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/json/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1888194 [3/13] - /httpd/site/trunk/content/security/json/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073140 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/cvejsontohtml.py security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabilities_24.ht mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073143 [2/3] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073149 [4/13] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/ security/json/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210330 svn commit: r1073149 [1/13] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/ security/json/ mailing-list
- [httpd-cvs] 20210606 svn commit: r1075470 [2/4] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/json/CVE-2020-13938.json security/vulnerabilities_13.html security/vulnerabilities_20.html security/vulnerabilities_22.html security/vulnerabiliti mailing-list