CVE-2025-58098
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server allows remote code execution when Server Side Includes (SSI) is enabled with mod_cgid. Attackers can inject shell commands through improperly escaped query strings in #exec directives. It affects Apache HTTP Server versions before 2.4.66 with specific SSI and mod_cgid configurations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache HTTP Server
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full remote code execution with web server privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Remote code execution allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, install malware, or exfiltrate data from the web server.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if SSI is disabled or proper input validation is implemented, though the vulnerability remains present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires SSI-enabled pages and mod_cgid configuration. Attackers need to find or know SSI-enabled endpoints.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4.66
Vendor Advisory: https://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_24.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Apache HTTP Server 2.4.66 or later from official Apache mirrors. 2. Stop the Apache service. 3. Install the new version following your OS package manager or compilation process. 4. Restart Apache service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Server Side Includes (SSI)
allDisable SSI functionality to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability
Edit httpd.conf or appropriate config file and remove or comment out 'Options +Includes' directives
Alternatively, set 'Options -Includes' in relevant directory configurations
Switch from mod_cgid to mod_cgi
allReplace mod_cgid with mod_cgi module if CGI functionality is required
LoadModule cgi_module modules/mod_cgi.so
Comment out or remove: LoadModule cgid_module modules/mod_cgid.so
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable SSI functionality completely in Apache configuration
- Implement strict input validation and filtering for query parameters in SSI-enabled pages
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Apache version with 'httpd -v' or 'apache2 -v' and verify if SSI is enabled in configuration files (look for 'Options +Includes' or 'Includes' directives)Check Version:
httpd -v 2>/dev/null || apache2 -v 2>/dev/null || apachectl -v 2>/dev/nullVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Apache version is 2.4.66 or later and confirm SSI configuration if still enabled📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual query strings containing shell metacharacters in SSI requests
- Failed or successful #exec cmd directives with suspicious parameters
- Error logs showing shell command execution attempts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to SSI-enabled pages with unusual query string patterns
- Requests containing shell escape characters in query parameters
SIEM Query:
source="apache_access" AND (uri_path="*.shtml" OR uri_path="*.shtm") AND query_string MATCHES "[;&|`$(){}]"