---
title: "Fail2ban Custom Jail: Apache 404 Scanner Detection"
domain: selfhosting
category: security
tags: [fail2ban, apache, security, scanner, firewall]
status: published
created: 2026-04-02
updated: 2026-04-02
---
# Fail2ban Custom Jail: Apache 404 Scanner Detection

## The Problem

Automated vulnerability scanners probe web servers by requesting dozens of common config file paths — `.env`, `env.php`, `next.config.js`, `nuxt.config.ts`, etc. — in rapid succession. These all return **404 Not Found**, which is correct behavior from Apache.

However, the built-in Fail2ban jails (`apache-noscript`, `apache-botsearch`) don't catch these because they parse the **error log**, not the **access log**. If Apache doesn't write a corresponding "File does not exist" entry to the error log for every 404, the scanner slips through undetected.

This also triggers false alerts in monitoring tools like **Netdata**, which sees the success ratio drop (e.g., `web_log_1m_successful` goes CRITICAL at 2.83%) because 404s aren't counted as successful responses.

## The Solution

Create a custom Fail2ban filter that reads the **access log** and matches 404 responses directly.

### Step 1 — Create the filter

Create `/etc/fail2ban/filter.d/apache-404scan.conf`:

```ini
# Fail2Ban filter to catch rapid 404 scanning in Apache access logs
# Targets vulnerability scanners probing for .env, config files, etc.

[Definition]

# Match 404 responses in combined/common access log format
failregex = ^<HOST> -.*"(GET|POST|HEAD|PUT|DELETE|OPTIONS|PATCH) .+" 404 \d+

ignoreregex = ^<HOST> -.*(robots\.txt|favicon\.ico|apple-touch-icon)

datepattern = %%d/%%b/%%Y:%%H:%%M:%%S %%z
```

### Step 2 — Add the jail

Add to `/etc/fail2ban/jail.local`:

```ini
[apache-404scan]
enabled = true
port = http,https
filter = apache-404scan
logpath = /var/log/apache2/access.log
maxretry = 10
findtime = 1m
bantime = 24h
backend = polling
```

**10 hits in 1 minute** is aggressive enough to catch scanners (which fire 30–50+ requests in seconds) while avoiding false positives from a legitimate user hitting a few broken links.

> **Critical: `backend = polling` is required** if your `jail.local` or `jail.d/` sets `backend = systemd` in `[DEFAULT]` (common on Fedora/RHEL). Without it, fail2ban ignores the `logpath` and reads from journald instead — which Apache doesn't write to. The jail will appear active (`fail2ban-client status` shows it running) but `fail2ban-client get apache-404scan logpath` will return "No file is currently monitored" and zero IPs will ever be banned. This fails silently.

### Step 3 — Test the regex

```bash
fail2ban-regex /var/log/apache2/access.log /etc/fail2ban/filter.d/apache-404scan.conf
```

You should see matches. In a real-world test against a server under active scanning, this matched **2831 out of 8901** access log lines.

### Step 4 — Reload Fail2ban

```bash
systemctl restart fail2ban
fail2ban-client status apache-404scan
```

## Why Default Jails Miss This

| Jail | Log Source | What It Matches | Why It Misses |
|---|---|---|---|
| `apache-noscript` | error log | "script not found or unable to stat" | Only matches script-type files (.php, .asp, .exe, .pl) |
| `apache-botsearch` | error log | "File does not exist" for specific paths | Requires Apache to write error log entries for 404s |
| **`apache-404scan`** | **access log** | **Any 404 response** | **Catches everything** |

The key insight: URL-encoded probes like `/%2f%2eenv%2econfig` that return 404 in the access log may not generate error log entries at all, making them invisible to the default filters.

## Pair With Recidive

If you have the `recidive` jail enabled, repeat offenders get permanently banned:

```ini
[recidive]
enabled = true
bantime = -1
findtime = 86400
maxretry = 3
```

Three 24-hour bans within a day = permanent firewall block.

## Quick Diagnostic Commands

```bash
# Test filter against current access log
fail2ban-regex /var/log/apache2/access.log /etc/fail2ban/filter.d/apache-404scan.conf

# Check jail status and banned IPs
fail2ban-client status apache-404scan

# IMPORTANT: verify the jail is actually monitoring the file
fail2ban-client get apache-404scan logpath
# Should show: /var/log/apache2/access.log
# If it shows "No file is currently monitored" — add backend = polling to the jail

# Watch bans in real time
tail -f /var/log/fail2ban.log | grep apache-404scan

# Count 404s in today's log
grep '" 404 ' /var/log/apache2/access.log | wc -l
```

## Key Notes

- The `ignoreregex` excludes `robots.txt`, `favicon.ico`, and `apple-touch-icon` — these are commonly requested and produce harmless 404s.
- Make sure your Tailscale subnet (`100.64.0.0/10`) is in the `ignoreip` list under `[DEFAULT]` so you don't ban your own monitoring or uptime checks.
- This filter works with both Apache **combined** and **common** log formats.
- Complements the existing `apache-dirscan` jail (which catches error-log-based directory enumeration). Use both for full coverage.