CVE-2003-0542 Memory corruption in n/a

High 7.2 Published 30 Oct 2003 Updated 8 Aug 2024

Attackers with configuration access can trigger stack overflows in Apache mod_alias or mod_rewrite via complex regex, leading to crashes or arbitrary code execution.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2003-0542?

CVE-2003-0542 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 30 Oct 2003. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in (1) mod_alias and (2) mod_rewrite for Apache before 1.3.29 allow attackers to create configuration files to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a regular expression with more than 9 captures.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2003-0542?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (16)

`httpd` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`mod_ssl` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`1:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`mod_ssl` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`1:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`mod_ssl` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`1:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`httpd-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:2.0.46-26.ent`
`mod_ssl` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`1:2.0.46-26.ent`

Products include Apache Http Server.

How do I fix CVE-2003-0542?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2003-0542 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2003-0542 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Apache Http Server vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2003-0542, GHSA-5cfw-vgxw-pqxm, RHSA-2004:015.