📄 Description (English)
Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal Vulnerability — Apache HTTP Server contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker to perform remote code execution if files outside directories configured by Alias-like directives are not under default require all denied or if CGI scripts are enabled. This CVE ID resolves an incomplete patch for CVE-2021-41773.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-42013 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server (CVSS 9.0) that enables remote code execution through incomplete patching of CVE-2021-41773. Attackers can bypass directory restrictions and execute arbitrary code if Alias directives lack proper access controls or CGI is enabled. This vulnerability poses an immediate threat to Saudi organizations running vulnerable Apache versions, particularly government and financial institutions relying on web-based services.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 21, 2026 09:14
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Critical impact on Saudi banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions), government agencies (NCA oversight), healthcare providers, and energy sector (ARAMCO subsidiaries). Government portals, e-commerce platforms, and financial services relying on Apache are at immediate risk. Telecom operators (STC, Mobily) hosting customer-facing web services face potential service disruption and data breach. The vulnerability enables complete system compromise without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with internet-facing Apache servers.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking & Financial Services
Government & Public Administration
Healthcare & Medical Services
Energy & Utilities
Telecommunications
E-Commerce & Retail
Education
Transportation & Logistics
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1083 - File and Directory Discovery
T1105 - Ingress Tool Transfer
T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter
T1543 - Create or Modify System Process
T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
T1070 - Indicator Removal
T1021 - Remote Service Session Initiation
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Apache HTTP Server instances in your environment (versions 2.4.49-2.4.50 are most vulnerable)
2. Disable CGI modules (mod_cgi, mod_cgid) if not required: a2dismod cgi cgid
3. Implement strict access controls: ensure all Alias directives have explicit 'Require all denied' directives
4. Apply emergency firewall rules to restrict access to web server ports (80/443) to trusted sources only
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade Apache HTTP Server to version 2.4.51 or later immediately
2. For RHEL/CentOS: yum update httpd
3. For Debian/Ubuntu: apt-get update && apt-get install apache2
4. For Windows: download latest MSI from apache.org and perform in-place upgrade
5. Restart Apache service after patching: systemctl restart apache2
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement WAF rules blocking path traversal patterns (../, ..\, %2e%2e)
2. Use ModSecurity with OWASP CRS ruleset
3. Restrict file permissions: ensure web root directories have minimal permissions
4. Disable directory listing: Options -Indexes
5. Monitor access logs for suspicious patterns: grep -E '\.\./' /var/log/apache2/access.log
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for requests containing: ../, ..\, %2e%2e, %252e, encoded traversal sequences
2. Alert on CGI script execution from unexpected paths
3. Track failed 'Require all denied' access attempts
4. Monitor process execution from web server user context (www-data, apache, httpd)
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع مثيلات خادم Apache HTTP في بيئتك (الإصدارات 2.4.49-2.4.50 الأكثر عرضة)
2. تعطيل وحدات CGI (mod_cgi, mod_cgid) إذا لم تكن مطلوبة: a2dismod cgi cgid
3. تطبيق ضوابط وصول صارمة: تأكد من أن جميع توجيهات Alias لديها توجيهات 'Require all denied' صريحة
4. تطبيق قواعد جدار الحماية الطارئة لتقييد الوصول إلى منافذ خادم الويب (80/443) للمصادر الموثوقة فقط
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية خادم Apache HTTP إلى الإصدار 2.4.51 أو أحدث على الفور
2. لـ RHEL/CentOS: yum update httpd
3. لـ Debian/Ubuntu: apt-get update && apt-get install apache2
4. لـ Windows: قم بتنزيل أحدث MSI من apache.org وإجراء ترقية في المكان
5. إعادة تشغيل خدمة Apache بعد التصحيح: systemctl restart apache2
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تطبيق قواعد WAF لحجب أنماط تجاوز المسارات (../, ..\, %2e%2e)
2. استخدام ModSecurity مع مجموعة قواعد OWASP CRS
3. تقييد أذونات الملفات: تأكد من أن دلائل جذر الويب لديها أذونات دنيا
4. تعطيل قائمة الدلائل: Options -Indexes
5. مراقبة سجلات الوصول للأنماط المريبة: grep -E '\.\./' /var/log/apache2/access.log
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة الطلبات التي تحتوي على: ../, ..\, %2e%2e, %252e, تسلسلات تجاوز مشفرة
2. تنبيه عند تنفيذ سكريبت CGI من مسارات غير متوقعة
3. تتبع محاولات الوصول الفاشلة 'Require all denied'
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات من سياق مستخدم خادم الويب (www-data, apache, httpd)
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.5.2.1 - Access control implementation
A.5.2.3 - User access rights review
A.6.1.1 - Cryptographic controls
A.6.2.1 - Physical and logical access controls
A.7.1.1 - System hardening and configuration management
A.7.2.1 - Vulnerability management
A.8.1.1 - Monitoring and logging
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - Vulnerability Management
Information & Cybersecurity - Access Control
Information & Cybersecurity - System Hardening
Operational Resilience - Incident Detection & Response
Third-Party Risk Management - Vendor Security Assessment
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies
A.6.1.1 - Information security roles and responsibilities
A.6.2.1 - Information security awareness and training
A.7.1.1 - Physical and environmental security
A.7.2.1 - Access control
A.8.1.1 - Cryptography
A.8.2.1 - Malware protection
A.8.3.1 - Data backup
A.12.2.1 - Change management
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0
Requirement 2.2.4 - Configure system security parameters
Requirement 6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
Requirement 6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
Requirement 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
Apache:HTTP Server