Boa (web server)

Boa is an unmaintained since 2005 open-source small-footprint web server that is suitable for embedded applications. Originally written by Paul Phillips, it was previously maintained by Larry Doolittle and Jon Nelson.

Original authorPaul Phillips

DevelopersLarry Doolittle and Jon Nelson

Releasecirca 1995; 31 years ago (1995)

Final release

0.94.13^[1]  / 30 July 2002; 24 years ago (30 July 2002)

Quick facts Original author, Developers ...

Boa
Original author	Paul Phillips
Developers	Larry Doolittle and Jon Nelson
Release	circa 1995; 31 years ago (1995)
Final release	0.94.13[1]  / 30 July 2002; 24 years ago (30 July 2002)
Preview release	0.94.14rc21[2]  / 23 February 2005; 21 years ago (23 February 2005)
Operating system	Cross-platform
Available in	C
Type	Web server
License	GPLv2
Website	www.boa.org

Close

Slashdot and Fotolog use Boa to serve images.^[3]

As of its last release, Boa has the following limitations:

• No access control features (HTTP Basic access authentication, etc.)
• No chroot option (planned)
• No Server Side Includes (deemed incompatible with server performance goals)
• No SSL support although there are some patches against 0.94.13 that introduce SSL support

As of 2022 Boa is still used in many embedded applications, and its known vulnerabilities have been actively exploited.^[4]