mod_auth_basic Basic authentication Base mod_auth_basic.c auth_basic_module Available in Apache 2.1 and later

This module allows the use of HTTP Basic Authentication to restrict access by looking up users in the given providers. HTTP Digest Authentication is provided by mod_auth_digest.

AuthName AuthType AuthBasicProvider Sets the authentication provider(s) for this location AuthBasicProvider provider-name directory .htaccess AuthConfig

The AuthBasicProvider directive sets which provider is used to authenticate the users for this location.

See mod_authn_dbm, mod_authn_file for providers.

AuthBasicAuthoritative Sets whether authorization and authentication are passed to lower level modules AuthBasicAuthoritative on|off AuthBasicAuthoritative on directory .htaccess AuthConfig

Setting the AuthBasicAuthoritative directive explicitly to 'off' allows for both authentication and authorization to be passed on to lower level modules (as defined in the Configuration and modules.c files) if there is no userID or rule matching the supplied userID. If there is a userID and/or rule specified; the usual password and access checks will be applied and a failure will give an Authorization Required reply.

So if a userID appears in the database of more than one module; or if a valid Require directive applies to more than one module; then the first module will verify the credentials; and no access is passed on; regardless of the AuthAuthoritative setting.

By default; control is not passed on; and an unknown userID or rule will result in an Authorization Required reply. Not setting it thus keeps the system secure; and forces an NCSA compliant behaviour.