Impact
IBM HTTP Server 8.5 and 9.0 are vulnerable to denial of service and potential remote code execution due to improper input validation. The flaw, identified by APAR PH71265 and classified as CWE‑94, permits an attacker to send specially crafted HTTP requests that can cause the server to crash or execute arbitrary logic. The high CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a severe risk, though the advisory does not enumerate all possible impact scenarios.
Affected Systems
All IBM HTTP Server installations in the 8.5.x series from 8.5.0.0 through 8.5.5.29 and the 9.0.x series from 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.5.28, including those bundled with IBM WebSphere Application Server, are affected. The warning applies across all operating system platforms supported by these server versions.
Risk and Exploitability
The CVSS score of 9.8 marks the issue as critical, while the EPSS score of <1% indicates very low but non‑zero exploitation likelihood. It is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog, suggesting that no publicly disclosed exploits currently exist. The likely attack vector is remote, unauthenticated HTTP traffic directed at the exposed server, especially if the service is reachable from untrusted networks. In environments where the server is exposed to the internet, the risk is elevated due to the potential for remote code execution and denial of service.
OpenCVE Enrichment