This vulnerability allows authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel in Apache Tomcat. When using PreResources or PostResources mounted other than at the root of the web application, it was possible to access those resources via an unexpected path. That path was likely not to be protected by the same security constraints as the expected path, allowing those security constraints to be bypassed. This issue affects Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.7, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.41, and from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.105. Notably, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.8, 10.1.42, or 9.0.106, which fix the issue. Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive resources and data.
Exploitation status indicates that known exploits exist, and organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, categorizing it as high severity. The attack vector is network-based with a low attack complexity, meaning it is relatively easy for attackers to exploit this vulnerability, especially given that no privileges or user interaction are required.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to protect their systems from potential attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified as CWE-288, indicating issues with authentication bypass. The CVSS vector string is 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N', reflecting the high confidentiality impact, and it affects the Apache Tomcat component.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the configuration of PreResources and PostResources in Apache Tomcat. When these resources are mounted outside the root directory of the web application, they can be accessed through unexpected paths. This misconfiguration can allow attackers to bypass security constraints that would normally protect sensitive resources.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no specific privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The attack complexity is considered low, making it feasible for attackers to exploit this vulnerability in environments where Apache Tomcat is deployed.
The confidentiality impact of a successful attack is high, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information. However, there is no integrity or availability impact associated with this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of vulnerable versions of Apache Tomcat poses significant risks for organizations. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to resources, potentially leading to data breaches or other forms of exploitation. The blast radius could include any system relying on affected versions of Tomcat, heightening the urgency for organizations to address this issue.
Given the CVSS score of 7.5 and the exploitation status, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The potential for exploitation coupled with the high impact on confidentiality underscores the importance of prompt remediation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Apache Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.7, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.41, and from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.105. Additionally, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected. Organizations should upgrade to versions 11.0.8, 10.1.42, or 9.0.106 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the following versions: 11.0.8, 10.1.42, or 9.0.106. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing configuration hardening to restrict access to sensitive resources and review any existing network controls to prevent unauthorized access.
For continuous assessment of security postures, organizations can engage in continuous penetration testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are identified and remediated promptly.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts or unexpected resource access patterns. Behavioral anomalies in web application traffic may also suggest attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability underscores the necessity for organizations to adopt a proactive security posture. This vulnerability represents a pattern of misconfiguration risks that can lead to serious breaches if not addressed. Lessons for security teams include the importance of regular audits and security reviews of application configurations to mitigate similar risks in the future.
For further insights, organizations can explore our comprehensive resources on penetration testing methodologies and vulnerability management programs to enhance their security frameworks.
Additionally, organizations are encouraged to review our guide on web application penetration testing to better understand the security landscape and the measures necessary to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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