PM77980: IBM HTTP SERVER SHOULD NOT ADD THE SERVER: HEADER BY DEFAULT

8.5.0.2: WebSphere Application Server V8.5 Fix Pack 2
8.0.0.6: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 6

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• IBM HTTP Server V7 and later have an option to disable
  generating the Server: HTTP response header, but suppressing
  the header should be the default behavior per current security
  guidelines.  Note that very little practically useful
  information is included in the Server: header by default
  ("IBM_HTTP_Server" with no version or release info).
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  Users of IBM HTTP Server (IHS) V7.0 and     *
  *                  later that have not configured              *
  *                  "AddServerHeader OFF".                      *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: IHS adds the "Server" header with a     *
  *                      value of "IBM_HTTP_Server"  to all      *
  *                      responses, unless "AddServerHeader OFF" *
  *                      is configured.                          *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  IHS 7.0 and later allows administrators to suppress the "Server"
  HTTP response header, but it requires explicit configuration.
  It
  was determined that adding this info should instead be opt-in.
  

Problem conclusion

• When no AddServerHeader directive is configured, IHS now
  defaults to "AddServerHeader OFF" behavior.
  
  This fix is targeted for IBM HTTP Server fixpacks:
   - 7.0.0.29
   - 8.0.0.6
   - 8.5.0.2
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  IBM HTTP SERVER

• Fixed component ID

  5724J0801

Applicable component levels

• R700 PSY

     UP

• R800 PSY

     UP

• R850 PSY

     UP