---
id: e398db35-23d8-4f0b-8cdb-2af371f64233
---

# Apache High .htaccess File Usage Incident
---

This incident type likely refers to a situation where there is a high usage of .htaccess files in an Apache web server environment. .htaccess files are configuration files that can be used to control access to specific directories or files. A high usage of these files may indicate potential security risks or performance issues that need to be addressed. This type of incident may require investigation and remediation to ensure the stability and security of the web server environment.

### Parameters
```shell
export DOCUMENT_ROOT="PLACEHOLDER"

export SERVER_IP="PLACEHOLDER"
```

## Debug

### Check if Apache is running
```shell
systemctl status apache2
```

### Check Apache error logs
```shell
tail -n 50 /var/log/apache2/error.log
```

### Check Apache access logs for unusual activity
```shell
tail -n 50 /var/log/apache2/access.log
```

### Check for any recent changes to .htaccess files
```shell
find ${DOCUMENT_ROOT} -name ".htaccess" -type f -mtime -1 -ls
```

### Check if mod_rewrite module is enabled
```shell
apache2ctl -M | grep rewrite
```

### Check .htaccess syntax for errors
```shell
apachectl configtest
```

### Check Apache configuration for any overrides in .htaccess files
```shell
grep -r "AllowOverride" /etc/apache2/
```

### Check server load and resource usage
```shell
top
```

### Check network connectivity to the server
```shell
ping ${SERVER_IP}
```

### Check firewall rules for any blocks
```shell
iptables -L
```

## Repair

### Disable the .htaccess file globally: This can be done by modifying the Apache configuration to disallow the use of .htaccess files globally. This will help in reducing the attack surface for the web application.
```shell
bash

#!/bin/bash



# Backup the original Apache configuration file

sudo cp /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf.bak



# Modify the Apache configuration file to disallow the use of .htaccess files

sudo sed -i 's/AllowOverride All/AllowOverride None/g' /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf



# Restart the Apache web server to apply the changes

sudo systemctl restart httpd.service


```

This incident type likely refers to a situation where there is a high usage of .htaccess files in an Apache web server environment. .htaccess files are configuration files that can be used to control access to specific directories or files. A high usage of these files may indicate potential security risks or performance issues that need to be addressed. This type of incident may require investigation and remediation to ensure the stability and security of the web server environment.


This incident type refers to frequent mismatches between the virtual hosts configured on an Apache server. This can cause issues with routing traffic to the intended web application or website, resulting in downtime or other problems. It is important to address these mismatches promptly to ensure the proper functioning of the server and any associated applications.


Virtual Host Mismatches on Apache Server.

This incident type refers to an unauthorized access to directories in Apache HTTPD, which is a widely used web server software. It means that someone was able to access files or directories that they were not supposed to, without having proper authorization. This type of incident can potentially lead to sensitive data being exposed or even stolen, and can compromise the security of the server and the applications running on it.


Unauthorized Directory Access in Apache HTTPD.

The Slowloris Attack is a type of Denial of Service (DoS) attack that exploits a vulnerability in the Apache web server. It works by sending HTTP requests to the server and keeping those connections open for as long as possible, thereby using up all the available resources of the server and rendering it unresponsive to legitimate requests. As a result, the server becomes slow or unresponsive, causing downtime for the affected website or service. This type of attack can be detected and mitigated by implementing specific security measures and tools.


Slowloris Attack Detected on Apache server.

This incident type refers to the detection of SQL injection attempts in Apache web server logs. SQL injection is a type of cyber attack that exploits vulnerabilities in web applications allowing attackers to execute malicious SQL statements. In this incident, attackers are attempting to inject SQL code into the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) of an Apache web server, potentially compromising the server's security and exposing sensitive information.


Apache SQL Injection Attempts in URI Incident

This incident type refers to a situation where the number of child processes created by an Apache server reaches a high threshold, causing performance issues and potentially leading to server crashes. This can occur due to factors such as high traffic volume or misconfigured server settings. The incident requires investigation and mitigation to restore normal server functioning and prevent future occurrences.


High Number of Apache Child Processes Incident

```shell
export DOCUMENT_ROOT="PLACEHOLDER"

export SERVER_IP="PLACEHOLDER"
```


### Check if Apache is running

```shell
systemctl status apache2
```

### Check Apache error logs

```shell
tail -n 50 /var/log/apache2/error.log
```

### Check Apache access logs for unusual activity

```shell
tail -n 50 /var/log/apache2/access.log
```

### Check for any recent changes to .htaccess files

```shell
find ${DOCUMENT_ROOT} -name ".htaccess" -type f -mtime -1 -ls
```

### Check if mod\_rewrite module is enabled

```shell
apache2ctl -M | grep rewrite
```

### Check .htaccess syntax for errors

```shell
apachectl configtest
```

### Check Apache configuration for any overrides in .htaccess files

```shell
grep -r "AllowOverride" /etc/apache2/
```

### Check server load and resource usage

```shell
top
```

### Check network connectivity to the server

```shell
ping ${SERVER_IP}
```

### Check firewall rules for any blocks

```shell
iptables -L
```


### Disable the .htaccess file globally: This can be done by modifying the Apache configuration to disallow the use of .htaccess files globally. This will help in reducing the attack surface for the web application.

```shell
bash

#!/bin/bash



# Backup the original Apache configuration file

sudo cp /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf.bak



# Modify the Apache configuration file to disallow the use of .htaccess files

sudo sed -i 's/AllowOverride All/AllowOverride None/g' /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf



# Restart the Apache web server to apply the changes

sudo systemctl restart httpd.service


```


Apache High .htaccess File Usage Incident

Overview

Parameters

Debug

Check if Apache is running

Check Apache error logs

Check Apache access logs for unusual activity

Check for any recent changes to .htaccess files

Check if mod_rewrite module is enabled

Check .htaccess syntax for errors

Check Apache configuration for any overrides in .htaccess files

Check server load and resource usage

Check network connectivity to the server

Check firewall rules for any blocks

Repair

Disable the .htaccess file globally: This can be done by modifying the Apache configuration to disallow the use of .htaccess files globally. This will help in reducing the attack surface for the web application.

Learn more

Related Runbooks

Virtual Host Mismatches on Apache Server.

Unauthorized Directory Access in Apache HTTPD.

Slowloris Attack Detected on Apache server.

Apache SQL Injection Attempts in URI Incident

Support