--- title: "CVE-2017-9798: Apache HTTP Server vulnerability | CubePath" description: "Apache httpd allows remote attackers to read secret data from process memory if the Limit directive can be set in a user's .htaccess file…" language: en source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-9798 --- # CVE-2017-9798: Apache HTTP Server vulnerability | CubePath ## Description Apache httpd allows remote attackers to read secret data from process memory if the Limit directive can be set in a user's .htaccess file, or if httpd.conf has certain misconfigurations, aka Optionsbleed. This affects the Apache HTTP Server through 2.2.34 and 2.4.x through 2.4.27\. The attacker sends an unauthenticated OPTIONS HTTP request when attempting to read secret data. This is a use-after-free issue and thus secret data is not always sent, and the specific data depends on many factors including configuration. Exploitation with .htaccess can be blocked with a patch to the ap\_limit\_section function in server/core.c. Official description from the CVE record, published by apache. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-9798) ## Key data ### EPSS Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days. Score 0.94651 (94.7% probability) Percentile 99.9% Scores of Nov 10, 2026 Model v2026.06.15 ## Affected products Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them. - Apache HTTP Server - affected: Apache HTTP Server through 2.2.34 and 2.4.x through 2.4.27 ## References Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control. - [RHSA-2017:3113](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3113) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [100872](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100872) (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247…](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html) - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628…](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html) - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801…](https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.html) - [RHSA-2017:2882](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2882) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [RHSA-2017:2972](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2972) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [blog.fuzzing-project.org/uploads/apache-2.2-optionsbleed-ba…](https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/uploads/apache-2.2-optionsbleed-backport.patch) - [support.apple.com/HT208331](https://support.apple.com/HT208331) - [1039387](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039387) (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry - [support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en\_US&doc…](https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en%5FUS&docId=emr%5Fna-hpesbux03909en%5Fus) - [RHSA-2017:3475](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3475) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [github.com/hannob/optionsbleed](https://github.com/hannob/optionsbleed) - [svn.apache.org/viewvc/httpd/httpd/branches/2.4.x/server/cor…](https://svn.apache.org/viewvc/httpd/httpd/branches/2.4.x/server/core.c?r1=1805223&r2=1807754&pathrev=1807754&view=patch) - [RHSA-2017:3240](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3240) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [RHSA-2017:3195](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3195) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [RHSA-2017:3018](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3018) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-3678067…](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-3678067.html) - [RHSA-2017:3239](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3239) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [RHSA-2017:3476](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3476) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [105598](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105598) (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry - [httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities%5F24.html#CVE-2017-9798) - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296…](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html) - [RHSA-2017:3114](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3114) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [RHSA-2017:3477](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3477) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/09/18/2](http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/09/18/2) - [security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180601-0003](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180601-0003/) - [RHSA-2017:3194](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3194) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-9798](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-9798) - [RHSA-2017:3193](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3193) (access.redhat.com) vendor-advisory - [DSA-3980](http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3980) (debian.org) vendor-advisory - [blog.fuzzing-project.org/60-Optionsbleed-HTTP-OPTIONS-metho…](https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/60-Optionsbleed-HTTP-OPTIONS-method-can-leak-Apaches-server-memory.html) - [42745](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42745/) (exploit-db.com) exploit - [GLSA-201710-32](https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-32) (security.gentoo.org) vendor-advisory - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813…](https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.html) - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20190815 svn commit: r1048743 \[4/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/56c2e7cc9deb1c12a843d0dc251ea7fd3e7e80293cde02fcd65286ba%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20190815 svn commit: r1048742 \[4/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/84a3714f0878781f6ed84473d1a503d2cc382277e100450209231830%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20190815 svn commit: r1048743 \[3/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8d63cb8e9100f28a99429b4328e4e7cebce861d5772ac9863ba2ae6f%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20190815 svn commit: r1048742 \[3/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/f7f95ac1cd9895db2714fa3ebaa0b94d0c6df360f742a40951384a53%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [tenable.com/security/tns-2019-09](https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2019-09) - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20200401 svn commit: r1058586 \[3/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r57608dc51b79102f3952ae06f54d5277b649c86d6533dcd6a7d201f7%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20200401 svn commit: r1058586 \[4/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd18c3c43602e66f9cdcf09f1de233804975b9572b0456cc582390b6f%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20200401 svn commit: r1058587 \[4/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/re3d27b6250aa8548b8845d314bb8a350b3df326cacbbfdfe4d455234%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20200401 svn commit: r1058587 \[3/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfbaf647d52c1cb843e726a0933f156366a806cead84fbd430951591b%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [github.com/apache/httpd/commit/4cc27823899e070268b906ca677e…](https://github.com/apache/httpd/commit/4cc27823899e070268b906ca677ee838d07cf67a) - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073139 \[1/13\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/json/](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf6449464fd8b7437704c55f88361b66f12d5b5f90bcce66af4be4ba9%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073140 \[3/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/cvejsontohtml.py security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9ea3538f229874c80a10af473856a81fbf5f694cd7f471cc679ba70b%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073140 \[4/4\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/cvejsontohtml.py security/vulnerabilities\_13.html security/vulnerabilities\_20.html security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc998b18880df98bafaade071346690c2bc1444adaa1a1ea464b93f0a%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073139 \[11/13\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/json/](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r15f9aa4427581a1aecb4063f1b4b983511ae1c9935e2a0a6876dad3c%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1888194 \[11/13\] - /httpd/site/trunk/content/security/json/](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfcf929bd33a6833e3f0c35eebdad70d5060665f9c4e17ea467c66770%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073146 \[2/3\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/cvejsontohtml.py security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdca61ae990660bacb682295f2a09d34612b7bb5f457577fe17f4d064%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073149 \[1/13\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/ security/json/](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9f93cf6dde308d42a9c807784e8102600d0397f5f834890708bf6920%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073149 \[11/13\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/ security/json/](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6521a7f62276340eabdb3339b2aa9a38c5f59d978497a1f794af53be%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210330 svn commit: r1073146 \[3/3\] - in /websites/staging/httpd/trunk/content: ./ security/cvejsontohtml.py security/vulnerabilities-httpd.xml security/vulnerabilities\_22.html security/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rcc44594d4d6579b90deccd4536b5d31f099ef563df39b094be286b9e%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[httpd-cvs\] 20210606 svn commit: r1075470 \[3/4\] - 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/vulnerabilities\_24.html](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r75cbe9ea3e2114e4271bbeca7aff96117b50c1b6eb7c4772b0337c1f%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Sep/22](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Sep/22) ## Timeline 1. ID reserved Jun 21, 2017 2. Record published Sep 18, 2017 3. Record last updated Nov 4, 2025 ## Look up another CVE ## About CubePath CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection. [Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection) Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:59 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)