CVE-2026-89281
Received Received - Intake

Hardcoded OpenSSL.cnf Path in Apache Lounge Windows

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-89281, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-22

Last updated on: 2026-09-22

Assigner: CERT/CC

Description

The Apache Lounge Windows distribution of Apache HTTP Server build contains a hardcoded configuration path vulnerability within openssl.cnf path that can allow local code execution.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-22
Last Modified
2026-09-22
Generated
2026-09-23
AI Q&A
2026-09-22
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 6 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
ghostscript ghostscript *
php php *
gnupg gnupg *
wget wget *
microsoft coreutils *
apache apache_http_server *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

The Apache Lounge Windows distribution of Apache HTTP Server has a hardcoded configuration path in openssl.cnf that could allow local code execution if exploited. This means an attacker with local access might execute malicious code by manipulating the configuration file path.

Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, check for hardcoded paths in openssl.cnf within Apache HTTP Server installations on Windows. Use commands like 'where openssl.cnf' or 'dir /s openssl.cnf' to locate the file. Verify if the path is writable by non-administrative users using 'icacls openssl.cnf' to inspect permissions.

Impact Analysis

An attacker with local access to the system could exploit this to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized system access, data theft, or further compromise of the Apache HTTP Server environment.

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability may lead to unauthorized local code execution due to hardcoded paths in Apache HTTP Server's openssl.cnf configuration. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, violating GDPR's data protection requirements and HIPAA's safeguards for protected health information.

Mitigation Strategies

Restrict permissions on Apache directories using 'icacls' to remove modify rights for 'Authenticated Users'. Only allow 'BUILTIN\Administrators' full access and 'BUILTIN\Users' read/execute. Set the OPENSSL_CONF environment variable to override hardcoded paths. Regularly audit file permissions and logs for unauthorized changes.

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