# CVE-2017-3167: Auth bypass in Apache HTTP Server

> Third-party modules using ap_get_basic_auth_pw() outside authentication phase may bypass authentication requirements in Apache HTTP Server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Jun 2017
- **Updated:** 4 Nov 2025
- **Also known as:** ALPINE-CVE-2017-3167, CLEANSTART-2026-TY04609, DEBIAN-CVE-2017-3167, GHSA-9mgw-4qp5-wrrj, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-3167

## What is CVE-2017-3167?

CVE-2017-3167 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 20 Jun 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Apache httpd 2.2.x before 2.2.33 and 2.4.x before 2.4.26, use of the ap_get_basic_auth_pw() by third-party modules outside of the authentication phase may lead to authentication requirements being bypassed.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-3167?

It affects 14 products.


Products: Apache Http Server, Apple Mac Os X, Debian Debian Linux, Netapp Clustered Data Ontap, Netapp Oncommand Unified Manager, Netapp Storagegrid, Oracle Secure Global Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Aus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Tus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation, Redhat Jboss Core Services.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-3167?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2017-3167 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-3167 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Http Server

- [CVE-2021-42013](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42013/): Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-38475](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-38475/): Apache HTTP Server Improper Escaping of Output (critical 9.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-40438](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-40438/): Apache HTTP Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) (critical 9.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-0211](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0211/): Apache HTTP Server Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-41773](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-41773/): Apache HTTP Server Path Traversal (high 7.5, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-3167 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-3167 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 20 Jun 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-3167 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apache Http Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3167/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3167/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-3167
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3167
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-3167

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3167/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.