CVE-2011-1207 is a vulnerability that was discovered in the widely used Apache HTTP Server software. This flaw in the software could allow attackers to launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on the server, causing it to become unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability was caused by a design flaw in the way the software handled requests for content that was not available on the server. Attackers could send a specially crafted request that would cause the server to spin indefinitely, consuming all of its resources and making it unavailable.
The vulnerability was first identified in April 2011 and was assigned the CVE-2011-1207 identifier. The Apache Software Foundation quickly released a patch for the vulnerability, but it was not widely implemented. As a result, attackers were able to exploit the vulnerability over the following months. In August 2011, a series of attacks using the CVE-2011-1207 vulnerability were launched against high-profile websites, including those belonging to the CIA, the UK government, and the United Nations. These attacks caused widespread disruption and drew attention to the seriousness of the vulnerability.
In response to the attacks, the Apache Software Foundation released additional patches and issued warnings to users about the importance of implementing them. The attacks also highlighted the need for improved security practices, such as regular software updates and vulnerability scanning, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Overall, the CVE-2011-1207 vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive security measures in the face of evolving threats.