---
id: 3e9a5717-d249-425f-890a-5549296c5ec7
---

# Apache Host Header Manipulation Incident
---

Apache Host Header Manipulation is an incident type in which an attacker tries to exploit a vulnerability in the Apache web server by manipulating the host header of an HTTP request. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker can bypass the web server's access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or perform other malicious activities. This type of incident can have serious consequences as it can compromise the security and integrity of web applications and the data they handle.

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

export HOSTNAME="PLACEHOLDER"

export URL="PLACEHOLDER"

export PAYLOAD="PLACEHOLDER"

export PATH_TO_APACHE_CONFIG_FILE="PLACEHOLDER"
```

## Debug

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

### Check the Apache access log for suspicious activity
```shell
tail -n 100 /var/log/apache2/access.log | grep ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check the Apache error log for any errors or warnings
```shell
tail -n 100 /var/log/apache2/error.log
```

### Check the Apache configuration files for any misconfigurations
```shell
apachectl configtest
```

### Check the Apache version and installed modules
```shell
apachectl -v

apachectl -M
```

### Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific exploit
```shell
nmap -p 80 --script http-vuln-cve2017-5638 ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific SSL/TLS vulnerability
```shell
nmap --script ssl-heartbleed ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check if the Apache server is properly configured to handle Host headers
```shell
curl -H "Host: ${HOSTNAME}" ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check the response headers for any anomalies
```shell
curl -i ${URL}
```

### Check the content of a specific URL for any malicious payloads
```shell
curl ${URL} | grep ${PAYLOAD}
```

## Repair

### Patch the Apache web server by installing the latest updates and security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
```shell


#!/bin/bash



# Update the package list

sudo apt-get update



# Install the latest updates for all packages, including Apache

sudo apt-get upgrade apache2



# Restart the Apache service to apply the updates

sudo service apache2 restart


```

### Enable strict validation of the Host header in the web server configuration to prevent manipulation attempts.
```shell


#!/bin/bash



# Declare variables

APACHE_CONF=${PATH_TO_APACHE_CONFIG_FILE}



# Backup the original Apache configuration file

cp $APACHE_CONF $APACHE_CONF.bak



# Enable strict validation of the Host header

sed -i 's/^#HostHeaderChecking\s\+Off/HostHeaderChecking On/' $APACHE_CONF



# Restart the Apache web server

systemctl restart apache2


```

Apache Host Header Manipulation is an incident type in which an attacker tries to exploit a vulnerability in the Apache web server by manipulating the host header of an HTTP request. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker can bypass the web server's access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or perform other malicious activities. This type of incident can have serious consequences as it can compromise the security and integrity of web applications and the data they handle.


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 security vulnerability in the SSL/TLS configuration of the Apache HTTP Server, which can leave the server and its users vulnerable to attacks. The SSL/TLS configuration is responsible for encrypting the communication between the server and its clients, and if it is not configured properly, it can be exploited by hackers to intercept or modify sensitive data. This type of incident requires immediate attention from software engineers to ensure that the SSL/TLS configuration is properly configured to prevent any potential security threats.


Inadequate SSL/TLS Configuration for Apache HTTP Server.

```shell
export IP_ADDRESS="PLACEHOLDER"

export HOSTNAME="PLACEHOLDER"

export URL="PLACEHOLDER"

export PAYLOAD="PLACEHOLDER"

export PATH_TO_APACHE_CONFIG_FILE="PLACEHOLDER"
```


### Check if Apache is running

```shell
systemctl status apache2
```

### Check the Apache access log for suspicious activity

```shell
tail -n 100 /var/log/apache2/access.log | grep ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check the Apache error log for any errors or warnings

```shell
tail -n 100 /var/log/apache2/error.log
```

### Check the Apache configuration files for any misconfigurations

```shell
apachectl configtest
```

### Check the Apache version and installed modules

```shell
apachectl -v

apachectl -M
```

### Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific exploit

```shell
nmap -p 80 --script http-vuln-cve2017-5638 ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific SSL/TLS vulnerability

```shell
nmap --script ssl-heartbleed ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check if the Apache server is properly configured to handle Host headers

```shell
curl -H "Host: ${HOSTNAME}" ${IP_ADDRESS}
```

### Check the response headers for any anomalies

```shell
curl -i ${URL}
```

### Check the content of a specific URL for any malicious payloads

```shell
curl ${URL} | grep ${PAYLOAD}
```


### Patch the Apache web server by installing the latest updates and security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.

```shell


#!/bin/bash



# Update the package list

sudo apt-get update



# Install the latest updates for all packages, including Apache

sudo apt-get upgrade apache2



# Restart the Apache service to apply the updates

sudo service apache2 restart


```

### Enable strict validation of the Host header in the web server configuration to prevent manipulation attempts.

```shell


#!/bin/bash



# Declare variables

APACHE_CONF=${PATH_TO_APACHE_CONFIG_FILE}



# Backup the original Apache configuration file

cp $APACHE_CONF $APACHE_CONF.bak



# Enable strict validation of the Host header

sed -i 's/^#HostHeaderChecking\s\+Off/HostHeaderChecking On/' $APACHE_CONF



# Restart the Apache web server

systemctl restart apache2


```


Apache Host Header Manipulation Incident

Overview

Parameters

Debug

Check if Apache is running

Check the Apache access log for suspicious activity

Check the Apache error log for any errors or warnings

Check the Apache configuration files for any misconfigurations

Check the Apache version and installed modules

Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific exploit

Check if the Apache server is vulnerable to a specific SSL/TLS vulnerability

Check if the Apache server is properly configured to handle Host headers

Check the response headers for any anomalies

Check the content of a specific URL for any malicious payloads

Repair

Patch the Apache web server by installing the latest updates and security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.

Enable strict validation of the Host header in the web server configuration to prevent manipulation attempts.

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