CVE-2008-2168

Apache HTTP Server <= 2.2.6 - Cross-Site Scripting via UTF-7 Encoded URLs

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2008-2168. PoCs published by Yaniv Miron.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a UTF-7 charset handling weakness in Microsoft Internet Explorer to facilitate cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. The PoC demonstrates how malformed input can bypass sanitization, allowing arbitrary script execution in the context of the victim's browser.

Description

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache 2.2.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via UTF-7 encoded URLs that are not properly handled when displaying the 403 Forbidden error page.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Yaniv Miron · textremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/31759

This exploit leverages a UTF-7 charset handling weakness in Microsoft Internet Explorer to facilitate cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. The PoC demonstrates how malformed input can bypass sanitization, allowing arbitrary script execution in the context of the victim's browser.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Xss
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer (all versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a crafted URL · Target browser must be Internet Explorer
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (15)

Core 15
Core References
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_sreason
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3889
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/42303
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34219
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/491967/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5143
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=125631037611762&w=2
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/31651
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=124654546101607&w=2
Exploit vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/29112
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-731-1
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/491901/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/491862/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/491930/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/35650

Scores

EPSS 0.5485
EPSS Percentile 98.9%

Details

CWE
CWE-79
Status published
Products (47)
apache/http_server
apache/http_server 2.0
apache/http_server 2.0.9
apache/http_server 2.0.28 (2 CPE variants)
apache/http_server 2.0.32 (2 CPE variants)
apache/http_server 2.0.34 beta
apache/http_server 2.0.35
apache/http_server 2.0.36
apache/http_server 2.0.37
apache/http_server 2.0.38
... and 37 more
Published May 13, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026