CVE-2007-1359: Interpretation conflict in ModSecurity (mod_security) 2.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass requ

This month

MEDIUM 6.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2007-1359 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting mod security. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Interpretation conflict in ModSecurity (mod_security) 2.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass request rules via application/x-www-form-urlencoded POST data that contains an ASCIIZ (0x00) byte, which mod_security treats as a terminator even though it is still processed as normal data by some HTTP parsers including PHP 5.2.0, and possibly parsers in Perl, and Python.

Why this priority

EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.8 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	6.8% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2007-03-08
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mod security

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-03-08 22:19 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mod security mod security DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.7 · 1.7.1 · 1.7.2 · 1.7.4 · 1.7.5 · 1.9.4 · 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.7

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mod-security || rpm -q mod-security || mod-security --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mod-security sudo apt install mod-security=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7> sudo apt-mark hold mod-security

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mod-security sudo dnf downgrade mod-security-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7> sudo dnf versionlock add mod-security

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: mod_security 2.1.0 - ASCIIZ byte POST Rules Bypass

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2007-1359?

mod security: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2007-1359 being exploited?

CVE-2007-1359 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2007-1359 affect?

CVE-2007-1359 affects mod security. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). Interpretation conflict in ModSecurity (mod_security) 2.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass request rules via application/x-www-form-urlencoded POST data that contains an ASCIIZ (0x00) byte, which mod_security treats as a term

How urgent is CVE-2007-1359?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Python vulnerabilities · Perl vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2004-1765 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Off-by-one buffer overflow in ModSecurity (mod_security) 1.7.4 for Apache 2.x, when SecFilterScanPost is enabl
CVE-2003-1171 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Heap-based buffer overflow in the sec_filter_out function in mod_security 1.7RC1 through 1.7.1 in Apache 2 all

References

← Back to latest CVEs