⚠️ Apache 2.4.65 on cPanel Breaks SSL Behind Cloudflare — We Need a Real Fix

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📢 Summary

With the rollout of Apache 2.4.65, cPanel has now entered production-breaking territory for any server using Let’s Encrypt + Cloudflare.

Thousands of domains are now returning:

421 Misdirected Request — Cloudflare

This isn’t just a misconfiguration. It’s the result of a perfect storm:

• Apache’s tightened SNI behavior
• Let’s Encrypt certs using wildcard or mismatched CNs
• Cloudflare’s strict SNI enforcement
• Sectigo AutoSSL removed
• No built-in cPanel control over CN selection in certs

Let’s be clear:

This isn’t something that a simple cert reinstall or reboot can solve. It’s a systemic flaw in how cPanel handles SSL automation, and now it’s colliding with Apache’s stricter enforcement — hard.

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🔍 What Changed?

Apache 2.4.65 Tightened SNI Validation

Apache now strictly requires that the SNI hostname from the client matches the Common Name (CN) of the SSL certificate. Previously, Apache tolerated SNI-to-SAN mismatches. That tolerance is gone.

If your cert has:

• CN = webmail.domain.com
• But request = www.domain.com

Apache returns a 421 Misdirected Request, even if www.domain.com is in the SAN.

Let’s Encrypt in WHM Defaults to Shared CNs

AutoSSL with Let’s Encrypt usually issues a cert with:

• CN = a service subdomain (e.g., webmail.domain.com)
• SANs = domain.com, www., mail., etc.

Apache 2.4.65 no longer routes this correctly under SNI rules — especially when Cloudflare is proxying the request.

Sectigo AutoSSL Was Discontinued

In 2024, cPanel removed support for Sectigo AutoSSL, which previously offered better CN control. Let’s Encrypt is now the only provider, and it provides no controls to adjust CN behavior within WHM.

Reference: cPanel AutoSSL Migration – Sectigo Sunset

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🧪 Symptoms You’ll See

• Sites returning 421 Misdirected Request behind Cloudflare
• Works via direct origin (no proxy)
• Affects root domains or www. primarily
• Cert appears valid in WHM — no errors shown
• OpenSSL shows mismatched CN (usually webmail. or wildcard)
• Disabling Cloudflare makes everything work again

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🔧 Workarounds (Pick One — None Are Ideal)

✅ Option 1: Disable Apache’s SNI Strictness in WHM (Recommended Interim Fix)

In WHM:

1. Go to Apache Configuration > Include Editor
2. Open the Pre VirtualHost Include
3. Select All Versions
4. Add the following:

ProtocolsHonorOrder On
UseCanonicalName Off
ServerNameIndication Off

5. Save and rebuild Apache

This disables strict SNI matching at the Apache level, allowing SANs to work again regardless of the CN.

🔴 Warning: This may reduce some security guarantees. It’s a workaround, not a permanent fix.

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🛠 Option 2: Manually Replace Wildcard Certs with CN-Targeted Ones

1. Remove the domain’s current SSL via WHM
2. Create a self-signed cert manually with CN = domain.com
3. Run AutoSSL again
4. Hope Let’s Encrypt respects the CN this time

This often works, but isn’t guaranteed. Let’s Encrypt may still assign a service subdomain or wildcard.

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🔁 Option 3: Force Apache Downgrade or Version Lock (Avoid if Possible)

dnf remove ea-apache24
dnf install ea-apache24-2.4.54-*
dnf versionlock ea-apache24*

Use an older Apache build that didn’t enforce strict SNI.

🔴 Not recommended: You’ll miss security patches, and EasyApache might break during upgrades.

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⚙️ Option 4: Create Per-Domain Includes for SSL Routing

Manually create Apache includes under:

/etc/apache2/conf.d/userdata/ssl/2_4/USERNAME/DOMAIN/

Define explicit ServerAlias or ServerName settings and save them with distiller.

This allows deeper control of routing behavior — but is tedious and fragile.

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🌐 Option 5: Remove Cloudflare (Breaks CDN, Caching, DDoS)

Disabling Cloudflare restores proper SNI routing because Apache no longer sees proxied SNI data — it responds based on IP.

🚫 Not ideal for production sites. You lose:

• CDN speed
• Geo load balancing
• Security features

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🛠️ What We Need cPanel to Fix

🎯 1. Let Us Control CN in AutoSSL

Add options to specify which hostname is used as the Common Name for issued certs:

• domain.com and www.domain.com should be default
• webmail. or wildcard should only be used when explicitly selected

Let’s Encrypt supports this behavior. The problem is cPanel’s logic, not the certificate authority.

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💼 2. Add a Cloudflare Compatibility Mode

Auto-detect domains using Cloudflare via DNS (they all point to Cloudflare IPs) and issue:

• Certs with CN = domain.com
• Limited SANs (www., mail., ftp)

This mode should avoid wildcard certs, which are at the heart of the 421 issue.

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🔍 3. Show CN in WHM’s SSL Interface

Admins shouldn’t need to run openssl s_client to find out if their cert CN is broken.

Show the primary CN of every installed cert inside WHM’s SSL list — and flag misaligned CNs when detected.

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📣 Final Plea to cPanel (and a Warning to Admins)

cPanel — this is your wake-up call.

Apache 2.4.65 was not a silent change. It broke production environments globally when used in combination with:

• AutoSSL
• Cloudflare proxying
• Let’s Encrypt wildcard logic

And you gave us:

• No warning
• No UI options
• No fallback
• No documentation

We need:

• A toggle for strict SNI compliance
• Configurable CN behavior
• Clearer logging
• Reinstatement of optional providers like Sectigo

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📎 References

• Apache 2.4.65 Release Notes
• cPanel AutoSSL FAQ
• Sectigo AutoSSL End-of-Life Notice

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✊ Join the Conversation

Have you been affected? Tag @cPanel or @cPanelDev on X and include:

Apache 2.4.65 + AutoSSL + Cloudflare = Broken SNI
We need CN control, not wildcard defaults.
#Fix421 #cPanelSSL #CloudflareFail

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