CVE-2021-40438

CRITICAL KEV RANSOMWARE NUCLEI LAB

Apache HTTP Server <2.4.48 - SSRF

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2021-40438 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added December 1, 2021, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 12 public exploits from researchers including Kashkovsky, sixpacksecurity, sergiovks. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository provides a proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-40438, a vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 and earlier where a crafted URI-path can cause mod_proxy to forward requests to an arbitrary origin server. The example demonstrates how an attacker could exploit this for IP spoofing in DoS attacks.

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.

Exploits (12)

nomisec WORKING POC 16 stars
by Kashkovsky · infoleak
https://github.com/Kashkovsky/CVE-2021-40438

This repository provides a proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-40438, a vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 and earlier where a crafted URI-path can cause mod_proxy to forward requests to an arbitrary origin server. The example demonstrates how an attacker could exploit this for IP spoofing in DoS attacks.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server <= 2.4.48
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Apache HTTP Server with mod_proxy enabled
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 12 stars
by sixpacksecurity · infoleak
https://github.com/sixpacksecurity/CVE-2021-40438

This repository provides a Docker-based proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-40438, a path traversal and remote code execution vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49. The exploit leverages a crafted request to trigger a buffer overflow via a long path string.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker installed · Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 running
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 9 stars
by sergiovks · infoleak
https://github.com/sergiovks/CVE-2021-40438-Apache-2.4.48-SSRF-exploit

This PoC exploits CVE-2021-40438, an SSRF vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48, by crafting a malicious request with a long Unix socket path to trigger arbitrary HTTP requests. The script sends a GET request to the target URL with a manipulated query parameter to achieve SSRF.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target server running Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 · Network access to the target server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 4 stars
by xiaojiangxl · poc
https://github.com/xiaojiangxl/CVE-2021-40438

This PoC exploits CVE-2021-40438, a vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and earlier, by sending a crafted request with a malicious Unix socket path to trigger SSRF or RCE. The script reads target hosts from a file and sends the exploit payload to each.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: List of target hosts in a file named 'host.txt'
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 3 stars
by HxDDD · poc
https://github.com/HxDDD/CVE-PoC/tree/main/Apache/(SSRF) CVE-2021-40438.md

This repository provides a functional proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-40438, an SSRF vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server versions prior to 2.4.48. The exploit leverages a long string in the URL to bypass mod_proxy restrictions, allowing unauthenticated SSRF attacks.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server < 2.4.48
No auth needed
Prerequisites: mod_proxy enabled · VirtualHost with ProxyPass configured
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB 2 stars
by BabyTeam1024 · poc
https://github.com/BabyTeam1024/CVE-2021-40438

The repository contains only a README.md file with a CVE identifier and no exploit code or technical details. It appears to be a placeholder or incomplete submission.

Classification
Stub 10%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: unknown
No auth needed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 1 stars
by Cappricio-Securities · poc
https://github.com/Cappricio-Securities/CVE-2021-40438

This repository contains a Python-based scanner for detecting CVE-2021-40438, a vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server. The tool checks for vulnerable endpoints and integrates with Telegram for notifications.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Python 3 · requests library · Telegram API for notifications
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by gassara-kys · poc
https://github.com/gassara-kys/CVE-2021-40438

This PoC exploits CVE-2021-40438, a path traversal vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49 and 2.4.50, by sending a crafted request with a malicious path to trigger a directory traversal and potential remote code execution. The script uses curl to send the payload and checks the response for signs of exploitation.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.49, 2.4.50
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Apache HTTP Server version · Network access to the target server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 1 stars
by pisut4152 · poc
https://github.com/pisut4152/Sigma-Rule-for-CVE-2021-40438-exploitation-attempt

This repository contains a Sigma rule for detecting exploitation attempts of CVE-2021-40438, an SSRF vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server's mod_proxy. The rule checks for URIs containing '?unix:' and successful HTTP 200 responses, indicating potential exploitation.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache HTTP Server 2.4.48 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to web server logs · Sigma-compatible log monitoring system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by n0m-d · infoleak
https://github.com/n0m-d/CVE-2021-40438-POC

This is a functional PoC for CVE-2021-40438, an SSRF vulnerability. The exploit constructs a malicious URL with a large buffer overflow-like payload followed by an SSRF target, leveraging a Unix socket path injection technique.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Ssrf
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Unknown (CVE-2021-40438)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target URL with vulnerable endpoint · Internal service URL to fetch
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by yakir2b · remote
https://github.com/yakir2b/check-point-gateways-rce

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2021-40438, targeting Check Point Security Gateways. The exploit leverages a path traversal vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands via crafted HTTP requests, allowing for RCE, password resets, and configuration dumps.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Check Point Security Gateways (R80.40 T294, R81.10 T335)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target gateway · Vulnerable version of Check Point Security Gateway
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB
by ericmann · poc
https://github.com/ericmann/apache-cve-poc

The repository contains a Dockerized setup for CVE-2021-40438 but lacks actual exploit code. The provided PHP file is a placeholder and does not demonstrate the vulnerability.

Classification
Stub 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache 2.4.48
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker environment
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

Apache <= 2.4.48 Mod_Proxy - Server-Side Request Forgery
CRITICALVERIFIEDby pdteam
Shodan: cpe:"cpe:2.3:a:apache:http_server" || apache 2.4.49

References (20)

Core 20
Core References
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_24.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00001.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4982
Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2021-17
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211008-0004/
Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-685781.pdf
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_gentoo
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-20

Scores

CVSS v3 9.0
EPSS 0.9443
EPSS Percentile 100.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2021-12-01
VulnCheck KEV 2021-12-01
InTheWild.io 2021-11-24
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2021-27615
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-918
Status published
Products (50)
apache/http_server < 2.4.48
broadcom/brocade_fabric_operating_system_firmware
debian/debian_linux 9.0
debian/debian_linux 10.0
debian/debian_linux 11.0
f5/f5os 1.1.0 - 1.1.4
fedoraproject/fedora 34
fedoraproject/fedora 35
netapp/cloud_backup
netapp/clustered_data_ontap
... and 40 more
Published Sep 16, 2021
KEV Added Dec 01, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026