CVE-2025-46701 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apache Tomcat, specifically related to improper handling of case sensitivity in the GCI servlet. This flaw permits attackers to bypass security constraints tied to the pathInfo component of a URI mapped to the CGI servlet. The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows unauthorized access to potentially sensitive resources.
With a CVSS score of 7.3, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to restricted areas within applications running on affected Tomcat versions. Immediate attention is required, as active exploitation has been confirmed.
Apache Tomcat versions affected include 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.6, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.40, and 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.104. Older and end-of-life versions, such as 8.5.0 through 8.5.100, may also be impacted. Organizations running any of these versions should prioritize upgrading to Tomcat version 11.0.7, 10.1.41, or 9.0.105, which contain the necessary fixes.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, given its high level of exploitability and confirmed presence in the wild.
Vulnerability Details
The improper handling of case sensitivity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat's GCI servlet can be exploited, allowing attackers to bypass security constraints that should protect sensitive resources. This vulnerability, classified under CWE-178, is particularly concerning due to its potential to expose critical application functionalities.
The CVSS version 3.1 score of 7.3 indicates a high severity level. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, implying that remote attackers can exploit this without needing physical access. The complexity of the attack is low, as it requires no privileges or user interaction.
Organizations should be aware of the publication date of this vulnerability on May 29, 2025, to ensure timely action. The affected versions are clearly outlined and include some that are no longer supported, emphasizing the importance of keeping software up to date.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-46701 lies in the handling of case sensitivity within the GCI servlet of Apache Tomcat. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate the URI to bypass security constraints that would typically protect sensitive resources.
The attack vector is network-based, enabling remote exploitation without needing physical access to the server. The attack complexity is low, with no privileges required to execute the attack and no user interaction needed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The impacts of this vulnerability are multifaceted, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality may be compromised as unauthorized users gain access to restricted data, while integrity could be threatened by unauthorized modifications to resources. The availability impact is classified as low, but the potential for disruption exists.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment of Apache Tomcat in various critical environments raises the stakes of this vulnerability. Organizations relying on this technology should recognize the risk associated with unauthorized access and potential exposure of sensitive data.
The blast radius for this vulnerability can be significant, impacting not only the application itself but also any data processed through it. As such, the urgency for remediation is high, especially considering the current exploitability status.
Given the CVSS score and the prevalence of exploitation, organizations should act swiftly to patch this vulnerability as part of their security protocols.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.6, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.40, and from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.104. Additionally, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 are known to be affected but were end-of-life at the time of this CVE's creation.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the latest versions of Apache Tomcat: 11.0.7, 10.1.41, or 9.0.105. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to the affected servlets or applying configuration hardening.
For ongoing protection, organizations should consider proactive measures such as conducting regular security assessments, which can be facilitated through penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities across their environments.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Behavioral anomalies around URI access should also be tracked. Implementing network signatures to detect potential bypass attempts will help in identifying malicious activities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-46701 highlights the need for organizations to maintain vigilance in software updates to reduce exposure to vulnerabilities. This incident represents a pattern of similar vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing and validation of security configurations.
Security teams should learn from this vulnerability by adopting a proactive stance towards vulnerability management and remediation practices. This includes regular training and awareness programs to keep staff updated on emerging security threats.
For further insights on vulnerability management and security testing best practices, consider reviewing our vulnerability management program and the importance of regular security assessments.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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