CVE-2021-40438
mod_proxy SSRF
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Description
A crafted request uri-path can cause mod_proxy to forward the request to an origin server choosen by the remote user. This issue affects Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 and earlier.
Official description from the CVE record, published by apache. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See /security/cve/legal for the CVE license. View the record on cve.org
Key data
CVSS 3.1 Critical 9.0
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector: Network
The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet.
Attack complexity: High
The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation.
Privileges required: None
No account or privileges are needed.
User interaction: None
No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Changed
The impact can reach other components beyond the vulnerable one.
Confidentiality impact: High
Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.
Integrity impact: High
Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data.
Availability impact: High
Serious or total effect on availability.
| Metric | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. |
| Attack complexity | High | The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation. |
| Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. |
| User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. |
| Scope | Changed | The impact can reach other components beyond the vulnerable one. |
| Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. |
| Integrity impact | High | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data. |
| Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. |
CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at first.org/cvss.
EPSS
- Score
- 0.99999 (99.99% probability)
- Percentile
- 99.99%
- Scores of
- Nov 10, 2026
- Model
- v2026.06.15
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
- Name in the catalog
- Apache HTTP Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
- Added to the catalog
- Dec 1, 2021
- Federal due date
- Dec 15, 2021
- Ransomware campaigns
- Known use
CISA assessment as of Oct 14, 2021
- Exploitation
- Recorded by CISA as active
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- total
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-918Server-Side Request Forgery
Affected products
Apache HTTP Server
- affected: Apache HTTP Server 2.4 up to 2.4.48
References
- httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_24.html
- FEDORA-2021-dce7e7738e (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- [httpd-users] 20210923 [users@httpd] 2.4.49 security fixes: more info (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-users] 20210923 Re: [users@httpd] 2.4.49 security fixes: more info (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-users] 20210923 [users@httpd] Re: [External] : [users@httpd] 2.4.49 security fixes: more info (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-users] 20210923 Re: [users@httpd] Re: [External] : [users@httpd] 2.4.49 security fixes: more info (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- FEDORA-2021-e3f6dd670d (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20211002 [SECURITY] [DLA 2776-1] apache2 security update (lists.debian.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-bugs] 20211008 [Bug 65616] CVE-2021-36160 regression (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- DSA-4982 (debian.org)vendor-advisory
- [httpd-users] 20211019 [users@httpd] Regarding CVE-2021-40438 (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [httpd-users] 20211019 Re: [users@httpd] Regarding CVE-2021-40438 (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- 20211124 Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apache HTTP Server Affecting Cisco Products: November 2021 (tools.cisco.com)vendor-advisory
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- tenable.com/security/tns-2021-17
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211008-0004
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-685781.pdf
- GLSA-202208-20 (security.gentoo.org)vendor-advisory
Timeline
- ID reserved
- Record published
- Added to CISA KEV
- Record last updated
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About CubePath
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, 19:34 UTC. Sources and licenses