# CVE-2026-24072: Apache HTTP Server: mod_rewrite elevation of privileges via ap_expr

> Local .htaccess authors can escalate privileges to read files as the httpd user in Apache HTTP Server.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 May 2026
- **Updated:** 5 May 2026
- **Also known as:** ALPINE-CVE-2026-24072, AZL-85998, BELL-CVE-2026-24072, BIT-apache-2026-24072, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-24072, GHSA-9pw3-5ggm-c92r, MINI-7c3h-fjv5-5hrf

## What is CVE-2026-24072?

CVE-2026-24072 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 4 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An escalation of privilege bug in various modules in Apache HTTP 2.4.66 and earlier allows local .htaccess authors to read files with the privileges of the httpd user.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.4.67, which fixes this issue.

Weakness: CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-24072?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including apache. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `apache` | Bitnami | All versions | 2.4.67 |

Products: Apache Http Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-24072?

Upgrade apache to 2.4.67 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-24072 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-24072 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

- Analysis of CVE-2026-24072 (github_poc): https://github.com/meh098/CVE-2026-24072-Analysis

## 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-2026-24072 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-24072 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Http Server, published on 4 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-24072 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- apache (Bitnami): affected all versions; fixed in 2.4.67

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-2026-24072/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24072/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-24072
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-24072
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-24072

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24072/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.