Memory Management Vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server: Late Release of Memory
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2025-53020: Late Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server. Affects apache2 versions < 2.4.64-r0. Fixed in 2.4.64-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache HTTP Server is a widely used open-source web server software that enables users to serve web content. It is known for its flexibility, power, and extensive feature set, including support for various protocols, modules, and configurations. However, certain versions of Apache HTTP Server are vulnerable to a memory management issue that can lead to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53020 pertains to a Late Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime in Apache HTTP Server. This issue affects versions from 2.4.17 up to 2.4.63, where memory allocated during the server's operation may not be released properly, potentially leading to memory leaks and degraded performance. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial-of-service conditions or to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in memory.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.4.64-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade apache2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit the number of concurrent connections to the server or implement monitoring to detect unusual memory usage patterns. However, upgrading to the patched version is the recommended solution.
Conclusion
The Late Release of Memory vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server poses significant risks to server performance and security. Users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to version 2.4.64 or later to mitigate these risks effectively. Utilizing tools like Vulert can assist in monitoring and alerting for open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
The vulnerability affects Apache HTTP Server versions from 2.4.17 up to 2.4.63.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to memory leaks, degraded server performance, and potential denial-of-service conditions.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Yes, the patch is available in Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.64 and later.
If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider limiting concurrent connections and monitoring memory usage as temporary workarounds.
References
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