CVE-2026-29167
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Description
A flaw was found in Apache HTTP Server when using the mod_ldap module in a per-directory configuration. This use-after-free vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) due to improper memory handling. This could lead to system instability or unauthorized control over the affected server.
Statement
CISA's 9.8 is a mechanical worst-case UAF score. Their vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H — they're treating it as: "network-facing service, memory corruption primitive, assume RCE." This is how CISA-ADP routinely scores any UAF in a network daemon. They don't analyze actual exploitability; they score the theoretical ceiling of the vulnerability class.
Apache's LOW reflects what actually happens.
- Trigger is narrow — mod_ldap must be loaded (not default) AND configured in per-directory context (<Directory>, <Location>, .htaccess). Server-wide LDAP config doesn't trigger it. This is an unusual configuration pattern.
- UAF in config merging, not request handling — the freed memory is in the per-directory configuration merge path, which constrains the timing window and what objects occupy the freed allocation. This isn't a heap spray-friendly UAF in a hot request path.
- httpd's process model kills RCE reliability — prefork uses separate processes (crash = one child dies, parent respawns), worker/event have per-process address space. Turning a UAF into reliable RCE against httpd is substantially harder than against a single-threaded daemon with a predictable heap layout.
- Realistic impact is DoS — the freed pointer will most likely cause a segfault (child crash), not a controlled write primitive. The parent process respawns workers, so even the DoS is transient.
Mitigation
upgrade apache web server to 2.4.68
Additional information
- This content is not included.Bugzilla 2486394: httpd: Apache HTTP Server: Arbitrary code execution or denial of service via use-after-free in mod_ldap per-directory configuration
- Content from cwe.mitre.org is not included.CWE-825: Expired Pointer Dereference
External References
Affected Packages and Issued Red Hat Security Errata
Unless explicitly stated as not affected, all previous versions of packages in any minor update stream of a product listed here should be assumed vulnerable, although may not have been subject to full analysis.
| Products / Services | Components | State | Errata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | httpd | Under investigation | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | httpd | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | httpd | Affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | httpd | Affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | httpd | Under investigation | |
| Red Hat Hardened Images | httpd-main | Fixed | RHSA-2026:25042 |
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authorities (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications ).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS v3 Base Score | 4.6 | N/A | 9.8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality Impact | Low | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | Low | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | Low | N/A | High |
CVSS v3 Vector
Red Hat CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
cve.org CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?
For more information, see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/762393.
My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?
- "Under investigation" doesn't necessarily mean that the product is affected by this vulnerability. It only means that our Analysis Team is still working on determining whether the product is affected and how it is affected.
- "Affected" means that our Analysis Team has determined that this product is affected by this vulnerability and might release a fix to address this in the near future.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Upgrade to a supported product version that includes a fix for this vulnerability (recommended).
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
- Red Hat Engineering focuses on addressing high-priority issues based on their complexity or limited lifecycle support. Therefore, lower-priority issues will not receive immediate fixes.
What is a mitigation?
I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?
Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?
My product is listed as "Out of Support Scope". What does this mean?
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