# What is CVE-2012-0053?

> CVE-2012-0053 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) in HTTP Server from Apache, published on 28 January 2012. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 82%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2012-0053

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 49 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Medium (CVSS 4.3 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 82% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 28 January 2012
- **Record last updated:** 11 April 2025
- **Main product:** HTTP Server from Apache
- **Affected products:** 12

## What is CVE-2012-0053? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in. If it works, the attacker can read some data.

### The official description

protocol.c in the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.x through 2.2.21 does not properly restrict header information during construction of Bad Request (aka 400) error documents, which allows remote attackers to obtain the values of HTTPOnly cookies via vectors involving a (1) long or (2) malformed header in conjunction with crafted web script.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- Unknown: Unknown

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Some conditions needed
- Login needed first: No login needed
- What an attacker gets: Can read some data

Severity vector: `AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N`

## Is CVE-2012-0053 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 82%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 82%, 82%, 82%, 82%, 82%, 82%, 82%.

### Timeline

- 28 January 2012: Published
- 11 April 2025: Record last updated
- 22 May 2026: Exploit likelihood fell
- 16 June 2026: Exploit likelihood jumped

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2012-0053 scores **49 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2012-0053?

The published record lists 12 products. Versions are as published: "2.0.0 to before 2.0.65" means from 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 2.0.65.

- [HTTP Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/apache/http_server) by [Apache](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/apache) (Application): 2.0.0 to before 2.0.65, 2.2.0 to before 2.2.22
- [Debian Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/debian/debian_linux) by [Debian](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/debian) (Operating system): 5.0, 6.0, 7.0
- [Enterprise Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 5.0, 6.0
- [Enterprise Linux Desktop](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_desktop) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.0
- [Enterprise Linux Eus](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_eus) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.2
- [Enterprise Linux Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_server) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.0
- [Enterprise Linux Workstation](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_workstation) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.0
- [Jboss Enterprise Web Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/jboss_enterprise_web_server) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Application): 1.0.0
- [Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/suse/linux_enterprise_server) by [Suse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/suse) (Operating system): 10-sp4
- [Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/suse/linux_enterprise_software_development_kit) by [Suse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/suse) (Operating system): 10-sp4
- [Opensuse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/opensuse/opensuse) by [Opensuse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/opensuse) (Operating system): 11.4
- [Storage](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/storage) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Application): 2.0

## How do I fix CVE-2012-0053?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [svn.apache.org](http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1235454) (Patch, Vendor advisory)
- [httpd.apache.org](http://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_22.html) (Vendor advisory)
- [h20000.www2.hp.com](http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c03360041) (Broken link)
- [kb.juniper.net](http://kb.juniper.net/JSA10585) (Third-party advisory)
- [lists.apple.com](http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/Sep/msg00004.html) (Broken link, Mailing list)
- [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-02/msg00026.html) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-03/msg00002.html) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133294460209056&w=2) (Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133494237717847&w=2) (Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133951357207000&w=2) (Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136441204617335&w=2) (Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [rhn.redhat.com](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0128.html) (Third-party advisory)
- [rhn.redhat.com](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0542.html) (Third-party advisory)
- [rhn.redhat.com](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0543.html) (Third-party advisory)
- [secunia.com](http://secunia.com/advisories/48551) (Not applicable)
- [support.apple.com](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5501) (Third-party advisory)
- [debian.org](http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2405) (Third-party advisory)
- [mandriva.com](http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2012:012) (Broken link)
- [mandriva.com](http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:150) (Broken link)
- [oracle.com](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2015-1972971.html) (Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2012-392727.html) (Third-party advisory)
- [securityfocus.com](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/51706) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [bugzilla.redhat.com](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=785069) (Issue tracking, Third-party advisory)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/54a42d4b01968df1117cea77fc53d6beb931c0e05936ad02af93e9ac%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/5df9bfb86a3b054bb985a45ff9250b0332c9ecc181eec232489e7f79%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8d63cb8e9100f28a99429b4328e4e7cebce861d5772ac9863ba2ae6f%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/f7f95ac1cd9895db2714fa3ebaa0b94d0c6df360f742a40951384a53%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r0276683d8e1e07153fc8642618830ac0ade85b9ae0dc7b07f63bb8fc%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r05b5357d1f6bd106f41541ee7d87aafe3f5ea4dc3e9bde5ce09baff8%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1d201e3da31a2c8aa870c8314623caef7debd74a13d0f25205e26f15%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r2cb985de917e7da0848c440535f65a247754db8b2154a10089e4247b%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r476d175be0aaf4a17680ef98c5153b4d336eaef76fb2224cc94c463a%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r57608dc51b79102f3952ae06f54d5277b649c86d6533dcd6a7d201f7%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5f9c22f9c28adbd9f00556059edc7b03a5d5bb71d4bb80257c0d34e4%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r75cbe9ea3e2114e4271bbeca7aff96117b50c1b6eb7c4772b0337c1f%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8828e649175df56f1f9e3919938ac7826128525426e2748f0ab62feb%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9b4b963760a3cb5a4a70c902f325c6c0337fe51d5b8570416f8f8729%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9e8622254184645bc963a1d47c5d47f6d5a36d6f080d8d2c43b2b142%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9ea3538f229874c80a10af473856a81fbf5f694cd7f471cc679ba70b%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9f93cf6dde308d42a9c807784e8102600d0397f5f834890708bf6920%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rad01d817195e6cc871cb1d73b207ca326379a20a6e7f30febaf56d24%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb9c9f42dafa25d2f669dac2a536a03f2575bc5ec1be6f480618aee10%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdca61ae990660bacb682295f2a09d34612b7bb5f457577fe17f4d064%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf6449464fd8b7437704c55f88361b66f12d5b5f90bcce66af4be4ba9%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfbaf647d52c1cb843e726a0933f156366a806cead84fbd430951591b%40%3Ccvs.httpd.apache.org%3E)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2012-0053?

CVE-2012-0053 is a medium-severity flaw in HTTP Server from Apache, published on 28 January 2012. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in. If it works, the attacker can read some data.

### How serious is CVE-2012-0053?

It scores 4.3 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is medium. Our risk score for CVE-2012-0053 is 49 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.

### Is CVE-2012-0053 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 82%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2012-0053 affect?

For HTTP Server from Apache: 2.0.0 to before 2.0.65, 2.2.0 to before 2.2.22. The record lists 12 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2012-0053?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2012-0053 affect you?

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- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
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