CVE-2021-25122 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apache Tomcat. When responding to new h2c connection requests, versions 10.0.0-M1 to 10.0.0, 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.41, and 8.5.0 to 8.5.61 could duplicate request headers and a limited amount of request body from one request to another. This means that user A and user B could both see the results of user A's request. The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a significant risk to organizations.
The vulnerability poses a serious risk because it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers may leverage this flaw to gain insight into user data and potentially manipulate requests, leading to further exploitation. Organizations running affected versions of Apache Tomcat must prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately.
The urgency for defenders cannot be overstated, as the risk to organizations includes exposure of confidential data. With a low attack complexity and no authentication required, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network environments.
As of the last update, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, but the potential for it to be actively exploited in the wild exists, making it critical for organizations to address this issue promptly.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that Apache Tomcat versions 10.0.0-M1 to 10.0.0, 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.41, and 8.5.0 to 8.5.61 could duplicate request headers and a limited amount of request body. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, indicating improper handling of sensitive information.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, which reflects a high severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no required privileges or user interaction, resulting in a high impact on confidentiality.
The vulnerability was published on March 1, 2021, and has since been modified. Organizations utilizing the affected versions of Apache Tomcat must take immediate action to mitigate risks.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of h2c connection requests by Apache Tomcat. When a new connection request is made, the server inadvertently duplicates headers and part of the request body from one user's request to another, resulting in data leakage between users.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker does not need to have physical access to the server. The attack complexity is low, indicating that it can be exploited easily without specialized knowledge. Importantly, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary.
The impact of this vulnerability includes a high level of confidentiality breach, as sensitive data may be exposed to unauthorized users. However, there is no integrity or availability impact associated with this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-25122 is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on Apache Tomcat for web services. The potential for attackers to access sensitive user data could lead to identity theft, data breaches, and loss of user trust.
This vulnerability matters to organizations because it exposes them to regulatory scrutiny and potential financial losses. The blast radius is broad, affecting all users of the server that experiences this vulnerability, making it crucial for organizations to act swiftly.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The lack of known exploits does not diminish the urgency; instead, it highlights the potential for future attacks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Apache Tomcat are affected by this vulnerability: 10.0.0-M1 to 10.0.0, 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.41, and 8.5.0 to 8.5.61. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest patched versions to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately. The recommended action is to upgrade to the latest version of Apache Tomcat that addresses this issue. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement workarounds, including limiting access to the affected services and monitoring for unusual activity.
For comprehensive security, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to validate their security posture against known vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual requests and analyze user sessions for signs of data leakage. Additionally, implementing network signatures that can identify abnormal traffic patterns may aid in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-25122 lies in its demonstration of how vulnerabilities in widely used software can lead to serious data exposure risks. This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to maintain robust security practices and regularly update their systems.
Organizations should also consider implementing a penetration testing methodology to ensure they are prepared for similar vulnerabilities in the future.
In conclusion, CVE-2021-25122 highlights the importance of regular security assessments and staying informed about vulnerabilities that could impact enterprise environments. By being proactive, organizations can mitigate risks and enhance their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)