CVE-2012-0053
MediumPublic exploitprotocol.c in the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.x through 2.2.21 does not properly restrict header information during construction of Bad Request (aka 400) error documents, which allows remote attackers to obtain the values of HTTPOnly cookies via vectors involving a (1) long or (2)…
Published Jan 28, 2012 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2012-0053
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2012-0053 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 4.3 v2) affecting HTTP Server (Apache), Jboss Enterprise Web Server (Redhat), Storage (Redhat) and 22 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 82% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including HTTP Server 2.0.65, apache2 2.2.16-6+squeeze6, apache2 2.2.22-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v2
4.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
82%
Higher than 99.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2012-0053 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
protocol.c in the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.x through 2.2.21 does not properly restrict header information during construction of Bad Request (aka 400) error documents, which allows remote attackers to obtain the values of HTTPOnly cookies via vectors involving a (1) long or (2) malformed header in conjunction with crafted web script.
Affected Products
50 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| HTTP ServerApache | See advisory | 2.0.65 |
| Jboss Enterprise Web ServerRedhat | 1.0.0 | n/a |
| StorageRedhat | 2.0 | n/a |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 | n/a |
| OpensuseOpensuse | 11.4 | n/a |
Patched Releases
HTTP Server
2.0.65
apache2
2.2.16-6+squeeze6, 2.2.22-1, 2.2.9-10+lenny12, 2.4.23-4.1
apache2-devel
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-doc
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-event
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-example-pages
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-prefork
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-utils
2.4.23-4.1
apache2-worker
2.4.23-4.1
httpd
0:2.2.15-15.el6_2.1, 0:2.2.17-15.4.ep5.el5, 2.2.15-15.0.1.el6_2.1, 2.2.22-1.23.amzn1, 2.2.3-63.0.1.el5_8.1
httpd-devel
2.2.15-15.0.1.el6_2.1, 2.2.22-1.23.amzn1, 2.2.3-63.0.1.el5_8.1
httpd-manual
2.2.15-15.0.1.el6_2.1, 2.2.22-1.23.amzn1, 2.2.3-63.0.1.el5_8.1
httpd-tools
2.2.15-15.0.1.el6_2.1, 2.2.22-1.23.amzn1
mod_ssl
1:2.2.15-15.0.1.el6_2.1, 1:2.2.22-1.23.amzn1, 1:2.2.3-63.0.1.el5_8.1
rootio-apache2
2.2.22-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 28, 2012
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
References
- advisoryhttp://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_22.html
- advisoryhttp://kb.juniper.net/JSA10585
- advisoryopenSUSE-SU-2012:0314
- advisorySUSE-SU-2012:0323
- advisorySSRT100772
FAQ
Common Questions.
protocol.c in the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.x through 2.2.21 does not properly restrict header information during construction of Bad Request (aka 400) error documents, which allows remote attackers to obtain the values of HTTPOnly cookies via vectors involving a (1) long or (2) malformed header in conjunction with craft…
Affected: HTTP Server (Apache); Jboss Enterprise Web Server (Redhat) versions 1.0.0; Storage (Redhat) versions 2.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including HTTP Server 2.0.65, apache2 2.2.16-6+squeeze6, apache2 2.2.22-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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