CVE-2019-16748 is a vulnerability in the popular web server software, Apache HTTP Server. This flaw could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with user privileges on the targeted system. This vulnerability affects Apache versions 2.4.17 to 2.4.38 and was discovered in August 2019.
The vulnerability arises from a bug in the mod_rewrite module of the Apache HTTP Server software. This module is used to rewrite URLs for certain requests. A specially crafted request can cause the software to mishandle memory, leading to a buffer overflow and potentially allowing an attacker to execute malicious code.
Upon discovery of the vulnerability, Apache released a patch to address the issue. It is recommended that all users of affected versions update their software to the latest version available to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should ensure that their systems are configured to limit the exposure of the Apache HTTP Server to external networks, as this can reduce the risk of exploitation.