rewrite engine setting

Question

I can see the following entries in /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} ^(TRACE|TRACK)
RewriteRule .* - [F] 

What is the use of these lines in the config file?

Answer 1

RewriteEngine on

Enable the runtime rewriting engine.

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} ^(TRACE|TRACK)

If request method is TRACE or TRACK.

RewriteRule .* - [F] 

Force URL to be forbidden. The dash (-) means that don't substitute.

Answer 2

This group of directives forbids (returns a 403 response) all HTTP requests using the TRACE or TRACK methods.