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Medium

Out-of-bounds Read in Apache HTTP Server merge_response_headers

IdentifiersCVE-2026-43951CWE-125· Out-of-bounds Read

CVE-2026-43951 is a moderate-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server affecting versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.67. The flaw is in the merge_response_headers processing path and occurs when mod_headers and mod_mime are used together in configurations involving multiple response languages. Apache states that the bug can cause child process crashes. The issue was fixed in the 2.4.x branch by revision r1935006 and is addressed in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.68.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can trigger an out-of-bounds read in the Apache HTTP Server process, leading to child process crashes and denial of service at the worker/child level. The provided sources specifically describe crash impact; while out-of-bounds reads can sometimes expose adjacent memory, the supplied Apache context only explicitly confirms process crash behavior.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

No specific workaround is provided in the supplied Apache context, and Apache indicated that no workarounds are available for most vulnerabilities fixed in 2.4.68. Where immediate upgrade is not possible, reduce exposure by disabling or avoiding the vulnerable combination of mod_headers and mod_mime in configurations that use multiple response languages, but the authoritative remediation is to upgrade.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Apache HTTP Server to version 2.4.68 or later. Apache fixed the issue in the 2.4.x branch in revision r1935006, and the public fix was released in 2.4.68 on 2026-06-08. The affected range is Apache HTTP Server 2.4.0 through 2.4.67.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

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VendorProductType
Apache Software FoundationHttp Serverapplication

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Threat actor evidence

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Detection signatures

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Social activity4

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