CVE-2002-0653

HIGH

mod_ssl < 2.8.9 - Off-by-one Buffer Overflow in ssl_compat_directive

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2002-0653. PoCs published by Frank DENIS.

AI-analyzed exploit summary The exploit describes an off-by-one buffer overflow vulnerability in mod_ssl for Apache when processing overly long entries in a .htaccess file. Specifically, setting the DATE_LOCALE variable to a string of 12288 bytes triggers the overflow, potentially leading to a DoS or arbitrary code execution.

Description

Off-by-one buffer overflow in the ssl_compat_directive function, as called by the rewrite_command hook for mod_ssl Apache module 2.8.9 and earlier, allows local users to execute arbitrary code as the Apache server user via .htaccess files with long entries.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WRITEUP VERIFIED
by Frank DENIS · textdosmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21575

The exploit describes an off-by-one buffer overflow vulnerability in mod_ssl for Apache when processing overly long entries in a .htaccess file. Specifically, setting the DATE_LOCALE variable to a string of 12288 bytes triggers the overflow, potentially leading to a DoS or arbitrary code execution.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache with mod_ssl (versions affected by CVE-2002-0653)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Apache with mod_ssl enabled · AllowOverride configuration enabled · Ability to upload or modify .htaccess file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (18)

Core 18
Core References
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2002-164.html
Broken Link vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/9415.php
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-106.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_caldera
ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/security/OpenLinux/CSSA-2002-031.0.txt
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_conectiva
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000504
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/security/2002/MDKSA-2002-048.php
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_suse
http://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2002_028_mod_ssl.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-134.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-136.html
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_vuln-dev
http://marc.info/?l=vuln-dev&m=102477330617604&w=2
Broken Link mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-06/0350.html
Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5084
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=102513970919836&w=2
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-135.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-146.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/hp/2002-q3/0018.html
Broken Link vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-135
Mailing List, Patch vendor-advisory x_refsource_engarde
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=102563469326072&w=2

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0110
EPSS Percentile 61.2%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-193
Status published
Products (1)
modssl/mod_ssl < 2.8.9
Published Jul 11, 2002
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026