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Deep Security Analysis of Apache HTTP Server

1. Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Objective:

This deep analysis aims to provide a thorough security evaluation of the Apache HTTP Server (httpd) based on the provided security design review document. The objective is to identify potential security vulnerabilities inherent in the architecture and components of httpd, and to recommend specific, actionable mitigation strategies tailored to the project. This analysis will focus on understanding the security implications of each key component, inferring the architecture and data flow from the codebase context (as represented in the design review), and providing practical security recommendations for development and deployment teams working with Apache httpd.

Scope:

The scope of this analysis is limited to the components, architecture, and data flow of the Apache HTTP Server as described in the provided "Project Design Document: Apache HTTP Server for Threat Modeling (Improved)". It will cover the following key components:

  • Listener(s)
  • Core Server Engine
  • Modules (DSO)
  • Configuration System
  • Logging Subsystem
  • Multiplexing Modules (MPMs)
  • Backend Application Integration (Optional)

The analysis will focus on security considerations relevant to a typical web server deployment scenario and will not delve into specific code-level vulnerabilities within the Apache httpd codebase itself. The analysis will also consider the deployment environment and technology stack as outlined in the design review.

Methodology:

This deep analysis will employ the following methodology:

  1. Document Review: A detailed review of the provided "Project Design Document" to understand the architecture, components, data flow, and initial security considerations.
  2. Component-Based Security Analysis: Each key component identified in the design review will be analyzed individually to:
    • Summarize its functionality and purpose.
    • Elaborate on the security implications outlined in the design review, providing further context and examples.
    • Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities associated with the component.
    • Develop specific, actionable mitigation strategies tailored to Apache httpd.
  3. Data Flow Analysis (Security Perspective): Analyze the data flow diagrams from a security perspective, focusing on sensitive data handling and potential points of interception or manipulation.
  4. Contextual Recommendation Generation: Generate security recommendations that are specific to Apache httpd and its typical use cases, avoiding generic security advice. Recommendations will be actionable and targeted towards development and security teams working with httpd.
  5. Mitigation Strategy Development: For each identified threat, develop concrete and actionable mitigation strategies that can be implemented within the Apache httpd configuration, module selection, or deployment environment.

2. Security Implications Breakdown of Key Components

2.1. Listener(s)

Functionality Summary: The Listener component is the entry point for client connections, responsible for network interface binding, connection acceptance, protocol handling (HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3), and optional SSL/TLS termination.

Security Implications:

  • Denial of Service (DoS) Attack Surface: As the initial point of contact, Listeners are prime targets for DoS attacks like SYN floods and connection exhaustion. Successful DoS attacks can render the web server unavailable, impacting service availability.
  • Port Exposure and Attack Vectors: Open ports are discoverable and represent potential entry points for attackers. Unnecessary open ports increase the attack surface.
  • TLS/SSL Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured or outdated TLS/SSL implementations (often through mod_ssl or mod_tls) can lead to serious vulnerabilities. Weak cipher suites, outdated protocols (like SSLv3, TLS 1.0), and improper certificate management can enable man-in-the-middle attacks, data breaches, and protocol downgrade attacks.
  • Protocol Downgrade Attacks: Vulnerabilities in protocol negotiation can be exploited to force clients to use less secure protocols than intended, weakening encryption and security.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Listener(s):

  • Mitigate DoS Attacks:
    • Recommendation: Implement SYN flood protection at the operating system level (e.g., using iptables or firewalld on Linux to limit SYN packet rates).
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure OS-level firewall rules to limit incoming SYN packets per second. Example iptables rule: iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --syn -m limit --limit 100/s --limit-burst 200 -j ACCEPT.
    • Recommendation: Utilize mod_evasive or mod_qos to implement connection and request rate limiting at the Apache level.
    • Actionable Strategy: Enable and configure mod_evasive to limit requests per second from a single IP and temporarily blacklist IPs exceeding the limit. Configure mod_qos for more granular control over bandwidth and connection limits.
  • Minimize Port Exposure:
    • Recommendation: Only expose necessary ports (typically 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS).
    • Actionable Strategy: Use the Listen directive in httpd.conf to explicitly define the ports Apache should listen on. Ensure firewall rules (both network and host-based) block access to any other ports.
  • Harden TLS/SSL Configuration:
    • Recommendation: Use strong cipher suites and disable weak or outdated ones.
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure SSLCipherSuite in ssl.conf to include only strong and recommended cipher suites. Utilize tools like the Mozilla SSL Configuration Generator for guidance. Example: SSLCipherSuite ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:DHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384.
    • Recommendation: Disable outdated and insecure SSL/TLS protocols (SSLv3, TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1).
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure SSLProtocol in ssl.conf to only allow TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 (or TLS 1.2+ depending on compatibility needs). Example: SSLProtocol TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3.
    • Recommendation: Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to prevent protocol downgrade attacks and enforce HTTPS.
    • Actionable Strategy: Enable mod_headers and configure HSTS headers in virtual host configurations. Example: Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload".
  • Regularly Update TLS/SSL Libraries:
    • Recommendation: Keep OpenSSL (or the chosen TLS library) updated to the latest stable version to patch known vulnerabilities.
    • Actionable Strategy: Implement a system for regularly patching and updating system packages, including OpenSSL. Subscribe to security advisories for OpenSSL and Apache.

2.2. Core Server Engine

Functionality Summary: The Core Server Engine is the central processing unit, managing request lifecycle, configuration, modules, process/thread management (via MPMs), and resource management.

Security Implications:

  • Configuration Vulnerabilities: Misconfigurations in core server settings are a major source of vulnerabilities. Insecure defaults, exposed server information, weak access controls, and improper resource limits can create significant security holes.
  • Request Processing Logic Flaws: Vulnerabilities in the core request processing logic can lead to bypasses of security controls, server crashes, or unexpected behavior. While less common in the core itself, they are critical if present.
  • Resource Exhaustion DoS: Improper resource management can be exploited to cause resource exhaustion DoS attacks, impacting server availability.
  • Privilege Management Issues: The core server's privilege level and how it manages privileges for worker processes are critical. Improper privilege separation can lead to privilege escalation if vulnerabilities are exploited.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Core Server Engine:

  • Harden Core Server Configuration:
    • Recommendation: Disable directory listing globally unless explicitly required for specific directories.
    • Actionable Strategy: Set Options -Indexes in the <Directory "/"> section of httpd.conf or virtual host configurations. Enable +Indexes only for directories where directory listing is intended.
    • Recommendation: Minimize server signature information disclosed in headers and error pages.
    • Actionable Strategy: Set ServerTokens Prod and ServerSignature Off in httpd.conf to reduce information leakage.
    • Recommendation: Implement strong access controls using <Directory>, <Location>, and <Files> directives.
    • Actionable Strategy: Carefully define access control rules for sensitive directories and files. Use Require directives to restrict access based on IP address, hostname, or authentication. Follow the principle of least privilege.
    • Recommendation: Review and harden default settings. Avoid using default configurations in production environments.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use security hardening guides (e.g., CIS benchmarks for Apache) to review and adjust configuration settings.
  • Resource Management and DoS Prevention:
    • Recommendation: Set appropriate resource limits to prevent resource exhaustion.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use directives like LimitRequestFields, LimitRequestFieldSize, LimitRequestBody, Timeout, KeepAliveTimeout, MaxKeepAliveRequests in httpd.conf or virtual host configurations to limit request sizes, timeouts, and keep-alive connections.
    • Recommendation: Choose an appropriate MPM based on the expected workload and security requirements. prefork offers better process isolation, while worker and event are more resource-efficient but require thread-safe modules.
    • Actionable Strategy: Evaluate the trade-offs between performance and security when selecting an MPM. For environments prioritizing stability and isolation, prefork might be preferred. For high concurrency and resource efficiency, worker or event can be considered if modules are thread-safe.
  • Privilege Management:
    • Recommendation: Run worker processes under a less privileged user account.
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure the User and Group directives in httpd.conf to specify a dedicated, low-privilege user and group (e.g., www-data, apache). Ensure this user has only the necessary permissions to access web content and log files.
    • Recommendation: Minimize the privileges of the user running the main Apache process (if possible, though often requires root to bind to privileged ports).
    • Actionable Strategy: While challenging, consider using capabilities or other OS-level mechanisms to further restrict the privileges of the main Apache process if feasible in the deployment environment.

2.3. Modules (DSO)

Functionality Summary: Modules extend Apache's core functionality, providing features like authentication, authorization, content handling, security enhancements, protocol support, logging, and more.

Security Implications:

  • Module Vulnerabilities: Modules are a significant attack surface. Vulnerabilities in modules (both first-party and third-party) are a leading cause of Apache security breaches.
  • Configuration Complexity and Errors: Incorrectly configured modules can introduce vulnerabilities or weaken security. Complex module interactions can be difficult to secure.
  • Privilege Escalation Risks: Vulnerabilities in modules, especially those handling privileged operations or interacting with external systems, can lead to privilege escalation.
  • Third-Party Module Risks: Modules from untrusted sources can contain malicious code, backdoors, or vulnerabilities. Supply chain security for modules is crucial.
  • Module Interaction Issues: Conflicts or unexpected interactions between modules can create security vulnerabilities.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Modules (DSO):

  • Minimize Enabled Modules:
    • Recommendation: Disable unnecessary modules to reduce the attack surface.
    • Actionable Strategy: Carefully review the list of enabled modules in httpd.conf and disable any modules that are not actively used. Use LoadModule directives to control module loading.
  • Regularly Update Modules:
    • Recommendation: Keep all enabled modules updated to the latest stable versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
    • Actionable Strategy: Implement a system for regularly patching and updating system packages, including Apache modules. Subscribe to security advisories for Apache modules.
  • Vulnerability Scanning for Modules:
    • Recommendation: Regularly scan for known vulnerabilities in enabled modules.
    • Actionable Strategy: Utilize vulnerability scanning tools that can identify known vulnerabilities in installed Apache modules. Integrate vulnerability scanning into the CI/CD pipeline.
  • Secure Module Configuration:
    • Recommendation: Thoroughly review and harden the configuration of each enabled module based on security best practices and module documentation.
    • Actionable Strategy: Consult the documentation for each module and follow security guidelines. Pay special attention to modules handling authentication, authorization, and backend integration.
  • Careful Selection of Third-Party Modules:
    • Recommendation: Exercise caution when using third-party modules. Only use modules from trusted and reputable sources.
    • Actionable Strategy: Thoroughly vet third-party modules before deployment. Check for security audits, community reputation, and update frequency. Consider the supply chain security of third-party modules.
  • Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF):
    • Recommendation: Utilize mod_security as a WAF to provide an additional layer of security and virtual patching capabilities for module vulnerabilities.
    • Actionable Strategy: Install and configure mod_security with a robust rule set (e.g., OWASP Core Rule Set). Regularly update the rule set. Use mod_security to detect and block common web attacks and potentially mitigate vulnerabilities in modules.
  • Principle of Least Privilege for Modules:
    • Recommendation: Configure modules to operate with the minimum necessary privileges.
    • Actionable Strategy: Where possible, configure modules to run under the least privileged user context. Review module configurations to ensure they are not requesting or granted excessive permissions.

2.4. Configuration System

Functionality Summary: The Configuration System manages hierarchical configuration files (httpd.conf, virtual host files, .htaccess), parsing directives, runtime reconfiguration, access control, module configuration, and virtual host definitions.

Security Implications:

  • Misconfiguration as Primary Vulnerability: Configuration errors are a major source of Apache vulnerabilities. Insecure defaults, directory listing, weak access controls, information disclosure, insecure TLS/SSL settings, CGI misconfigurations, and .htaccess misuse are common issues.
  • Configuration File Security: Insecure file permissions on configuration files can allow unauthorized modification, leading to complete server compromise.
  • Configuration Injection: Vulnerabilities in configuration parsing or processing could potentially allow configuration injection attacks (less common but theoretically possible).

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Configuration System:

  • Secure Configuration File Permissions:
    • Recommendation: Restrict access to configuration files to only authorized users (typically root and the Apache user).
    • Actionable Strategy: Set file permissions on httpd.conf, virtual host files, ssl.conf, and other configuration files to 600 or 640, ensuring only root and the Apache user can read and write them.
  • Regular Configuration Audits:
    • Recommendation: Conduct regular security audits of Apache configurations to identify misconfigurations and security weaknesses.
    • Actionable Strategy: Schedule periodic reviews of httpd.conf, virtual host configurations, and .htaccess files. Use configuration scanning tools to automate the process and identify potential issues.
  • Configuration Management and Version Control:
    • Recommendation: Manage Apache configurations using version control systems (e.g., Git) to track changes, facilitate rollbacks, and ensure configuration integrity.
    • Actionable Strategy: Store Apache configuration files in a version control repository. Use code review processes for configuration changes.
  • Disable .htaccess Files (If Possible):
    • Recommendation: If possible, disable .htaccess file processing for performance and security reasons. .htaccess files can be misused and make configuration management more complex.
    • Actionable Strategy: Set AllowOverride None in the <Directory "/"> section of httpd.conf to disable .htaccess processing globally. If .htaccess is necessary for specific directories, minimize its use and carefully control AllowOverride directives.
  • Minimize Information Disclosure in Configuration:
    • Recommendation: Avoid hardcoding sensitive information (credentials, API keys) directly in configuration files.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use environment variables or external secret management systems to store sensitive information and reference them in Apache configurations.
  • Use Configuration Validation Tools:
    • Recommendation: Utilize Apache's configuration validation tools (apachectl configtest or httpd -t) to detect syntax errors and potential configuration issues before applying changes.
    • Actionable Strategy: Integrate configuration validation into the deployment process to catch errors early.

2.5. Logging Subsystem

Functionality Summary: The Logging Subsystem records server events, access attempts, and errors. Logs are crucial for security monitoring, auditing, and incident analysis.

Security Implications:

  • Security Auditing and Monitoring Deficiencies: Insufficient logging hinders security auditing, intrusion detection, and incident response.
  • Information Disclosure in Logs: Logs can inadvertently contain sensitive information (user credentials, session IDs, internal paths, PII) if not configured carefully. Overly verbose logging increases this risk.
  • Log Injection Vulnerabilities: Vulnerabilities in logging mechanisms can allow attackers to inject malicious log entries, misleading security analysis, bypassing monitoring, or exploiting log processing tools.
  • Log Tampering and Integrity: If log files are not properly secured, attackers might tamper with them to cover their tracks or manipulate evidence.
  • Log Storage Security: Insecure storage and access control for log files can expose sensitive information and compromise log integrity.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Logging Subsystem:

  • Enable Comprehensive Logging:
    • Recommendation: Configure access logs to record sufficient detail for security auditing and incident analysis.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use a custom LogFormat in httpd.conf to include relevant information like client IP, timestamp, requested URL, HTTP status code, user agent, and referrer. Consider including headers like X-Forwarded-For in proxy scenarios.
    • Recommendation: Enable error logging and set an appropriate log level (e.g., warn or error for production) to capture server errors and warnings.
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure LogLevel in httpd.conf to an appropriate level. Review error logs regularly for anomalies and potential security issues.
  • Secure Log Storage and Access:
    • Recommendation: Store log files in a secure location with restricted access.
    • Actionable Strategy: Ensure log directories and files are owned by root and only readable by the Apache user (or a dedicated logging user). Set file permissions to 600 or 640.
    • Recommendation: Implement log rotation and archiving to manage log file size and prevent disk space exhaustion.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use rotatelogs or logrotate utilities to automatically rotate and archive log files. Configure rotation frequency and retention policies.
  • Minimize Sensitive Information in Logs:
    • Recommendation: Avoid logging sensitive data like user credentials, session IDs, or PII in access logs.
    • Actionable Strategy: Review the configured LogFormat and remove any directives that might log sensitive information. If necessary to log specific data, consider anonymization or masking techniques.
  • Log Integrity Monitoring:
    • Recommendation: Implement mechanisms to monitor log file integrity and detect tampering.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use file integrity monitoring tools (e.g., AIDE, Tripwire) to detect unauthorized modifications to log files. Consider using centralized logging systems with tamper-proof storage.
  • Centralized Logging and Security Monitoring:
    • Recommendation: Forward Apache logs to a centralized logging system (SIEM) for security monitoring, alerting, and correlation with other security events.
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure Apache to send logs to a SIEM system using syslog or other log forwarding mechanisms. Set up alerts for suspicious log patterns and security-relevant events.
  • Protect Against Log Injection:
    • Recommendation: Sanitize or encode user-provided input before logging to prevent log injection attacks.
    • Actionable Strategy: If logging user-provided data, ensure it is properly sanitized or encoded to prevent attackers from injecting malicious log entries. Consider using parameterized logging mechanisms if available in modules or backend applications.

2.6. Multiplexing Modules (MPMs)

Functionality Summary: MPMs determine the process/thread management model used by Apache, impacting performance, resource utilization, and security. Common MPMs are prefork, worker, and event.

Security Implications:

  • Resource Exhaustion and DoS Vulnerability: MPM choice and configuration can impact server resilience to DoS attacks. Incorrect MPM configuration can make the server more vulnerable to resource exhaustion.
  • Process Isolation (Prefork vs. Worker/Event): prefork offers better process isolation, limiting the impact of vulnerabilities in worker processes. worker and event share processes, potentially increasing the impact of a vulnerability in one thread.
  • Thread Safety Requirements (Worker/Event): worker and event rely on threads, requiring modules to be thread-safe. Non-thread-safe modules can cause crashes or unpredictable behavior in threaded MPMs, potentially leading to security issues.
  • Privilege Separation and MPM: MPMs often handle privilege separation, running worker processes under less privileged user accounts.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Multiplexing Modules (MPMs):

  • Choose MPM Based on Security and Performance Needs:
    • Recommendation: Select an MPM that balances security requirements with performance needs.
    • Actionable Strategy:
      • For environments prioritizing stability and process isolation, and where modules might not be fully thread-safe, prefork is a safer choice, albeit potentially less resource-efficient for high concurrency.
      • For high-concurrency environments with thread-safe modules, worker or event can offer better resource utilization and performance. However, ensure all modules are thoroughly tested for thread safety.
  • Configure MPM Resource Limits:
    • Recommendation: Configure MPM-specific directives to limit resource usage and prevent resource exhaustion DoS attacks.
    • Actionable Strategy:
      • For prefork: Use MaxRequestWorkers to limit the maximum number of child processes.
      • For worker and event: Use MaxRequestWorkers, ThreadsPerChild, and MaxConnectionsPerChild to control the number of processes, threads per process, and connections per child process.
      • Adjust these directives based on server resources and expected workload to prevent resource exhaustion.
  • Ensure Module Thread Safety (Worker/Event):
    • Recommendation: If using worker or event, rigorously verify that all enabled modules are thread-safe.
    • Actionable Strategy: Consult module documentation to confirm thread safety. Conduct thorough testing of the Apache configuration with the chosen modules under load to identify any thread-safety issues.
  • Regularly Review MPM Configuration:
    • Recommendation: Periodically review MPM configuration to ensure it remains appropriate for the current workload and security requirements.
    • Actionable Strategy: Include MPM configuration review in regular security audits and performance tuning exercises.

2.7. Backend Application Integration (Optional)

Functionality Summary: Apache can integrate with backend application servers through reverse proxying (using mod_proxy), CGI, FastCGI, and application server integration.

Security Implications:

  • Backend Vulnerability Exposure: Vulnerabilities in backend applications can be exposed through Apache if not properly secured. Apache acts as a gateway and can amplify the impact of backend vulnerabilities.
  • Proxy Misconfiguration Risks: Incorrect proxy configurations can lead to open proxy vulnerabilities, information leakage, and bypass of security controls.
  • Request Smuggling and Desync Attacks: Vulnerabilities in proxy implementations or protocol handling can lead to request smuggling or HTTP desync attacks, allowing attackers to bypass security checks or access unauthorized resources.
  • Data Exposure in Backend Communication: Unsecured communication between Apache and backend applications (especially over untrusted networks) can lead to data interception.
  • CGI/FastCGI Security Risks: CGI and FastCGI introduce security risks if not properly managed, including code injection, path traversal, and resource exhaustion.

Specific Security Recommendations & Mitigation Strategies for Backend Application Integration:

  • Secure Backend Communication:
    • Recommendation: Use HTTPS for communication between Apache and backend applications, especially if communication traverses untrusted networks.
    • Actionable Strategy: Configure mod_proxy to use https:// URLs for backend servers. Ensure backend servers are properly configured with TLS/SSL.
  • Harden Proxy Configurations:
    • Recommendation: Avoid open proxy configurations. Only proxy requests to explicitly defined backend servers.
    • Actionable Strategy: Carefully configure ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse directives to only proxy requests to intended backend applications. Avoid wildcard proxy configurations that could create open proxy vulnerabilities.
    • Recommendation: Implement access controls on proxy paths to restrict access to backend applications.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use <Location> or <Proxy> directives with Require directives to control access to proxied paths.
  • Mitigate Request Smuggling and Desync Risks:
    • Recommendation: Keep Apache and mod_proxy (or other proxy modules) updated to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities related to request smuggling and desync attacks.
    • Actionable Strategy: Implement a regular patching schedule for Apache and its modules.
    • Recommendation: Carefully review proxy configurations and ensure they are not vulnerable to request smuggling or desync attacks. Consult security best practices for proxy configurations.
  • Secure CGI/FastCGI Configurations (If Used):
    • Recommendation: If using CGI or FastCGI, restrict execution to specific directories and disable execution in world-writable directories.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use <Directory> directives to limit CGI execution to designated directories. Ensure Options ExecCGI is only enabled where necessary. Disable Options +ExecCGI in world-writable directories.
    • Recommendation: Run CGI/FastCGI scripts under a separate, low-privileged user account.
    • Actionable Strategy: Use suexec or fcgid to run CGI/FastCGI scripts under different user accounts, limiting the impact of vulnerabilities in scripts.
    • Recommendation: Implement robust input validation and sanitization in CGI/FastCGI scripts to prevent code injection and path traversal vulnerabilities.
    • Actionable Strategy: Follow secure coding practices when developing CGI/FastCGI scripts. Use input validation libraries and frameworks to prevent injection attacks.
  • Backend Application Security is Paramount:
    • Recommendation: Recognize that Apache is only one component in the overall web application security posture. The security of backend applications is equally or more important.
    • Actionable Strategy: Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing of backend applications. Implement security controls within backend applications to protect against vulnerabilities.

3. Conclusion

This deep security analysis of Apache HTTP Server, based on the provided design review, highlights several key security considerations across its core components. By focusing on the specific recommendations and actionable mitigation strategies outlined for each component – Listener(s), Core Server Engine, Modules, Configuration System, Logging Subsystem, MPMs, and Backend Integration – development and security teams can significantly enhance the security posture of their Apache deployments.

It is crucial to remember that security is an ongoing process. Regular security audits, vulnerability scanning, configuration reviews, and timely patching are essential for maintaining a secure Apache HTTP Server environment. Furthermore, understanding the specific threats relevant to the deployed applications and tailoring security measures accordingly is paramount for effective protection. This analysis provides a solid foundation for building and maintaining a secure Apache HTTP Server infrastructure.