CVE-2025-65082
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate CGI program behavior by injecting malicious environment variables through Apache configuration. It affects Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.65 when CGI functionality is enabled. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or bypass security controls.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache HTTP Server
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with web server privileges, leading to complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Information disclosure, privilege escalation, or limited command execution depending on CGI script functionality.
If Mitigated
No impact if CGI functionality is disabled or proper input validation is implemented in CGI scripts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of Apache configuration and CGI environment variable handling. No public exploits available at time of analysis.
🛠️ 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 2.4.66 from official Apache website. 2. Stop Apache service. 3. Backup current configuration. 4. Install new version. 5. Restore configuration. 6. Start Apache service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CGI functionality
allRemove or disable CGI modules and configurations if not required
# Comment out or remove LoadModule cgi_module lines in httpd.conf
# Remove or disable CGI-related configurations
Restrict CGI execution
allLimit CGI execution to specific directories with strict permissions
# In httpd.conf: <Directory "/path/to/cgi-bin"> Options -ExecCGI </Directory>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation in all CGI scripts
- Use web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious environment variable manipulation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Apache version and CGI module status: httpd -v and check for LoadModule cgi_module in configurationCheck Version:
httpd -v | grep 'Apache/'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Apache version is 2.4.66 or higher: httpd -v📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual CGI script execution patterns
- Errors related to environment variable handling in error_log
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests attempting to manipulate CGI environment variables
SIEM Query:
source="apache_access" AND (uri="*.cgi" OR uri="*.pl") AND (user_agent CONTAINS suspicious_pattern OR referer CONTAINS suspicious_pattern)