This vulnerability allows for improper resource shutdown or release in Apache Tomcat. Specifically, if an error occurs during the processing of a multipart upload, temporary copies of the uploaded parts written to disk may not be cleaned up immediately. Instead, they are left to be handled by the garbage collection process. Depending on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) settings, application memory usage, and load, it is possible for the space allocated for these temporary copies to fill faster than the garbage collector can clear it, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS).
The issue affects Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.11, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.46, and from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.109. Additionally, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100, which were end-of-life (EOL) at the time this CVE was published, are also known to be affected. Users are advised to upgrade to version 11.0.12 or later, 10.1.47 or later, or 9.0.110 or later to rectify this vulnerability.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The medium severity rating indicates that while there is a risk, the exploitation potential may not be immediate. However, the potential for a denial of service should not be underestimated, particularly in environments with heavy multipart uploads.
As part of a comprehensive security strategy, organizations are encouraged to implement robust monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect any anomalies related to resource usage.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified as CWE-404, which relates to improper resource management. The CVSS score is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level, with an availability impact classified as high. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The affected product is Apache Tomcat, and the publication date of this vulnerability is October 27, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the failure to immediately clean up temporary files created during multipart uploads when errors occur. As these files accumulate, they can lead to increased memory usage, potentially causing the application to exhaust available memory or disk space, resulting in denial of service. The attack complexity is rated as high due to the reliance on specific JVM configurations and application load patterns.
Since the attack vector is network-based, an attacker might not need to be on the same local network to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, because no user interaction is required, the exploitation could be automated in a high-load environment, increasing the risk of service disruption.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for service interruption due to the excessive resource consumption caused by uncleaned temporary files. This resource exhaustion could impact application performance and availability, which is critical for user-facing applications. The blast radius may vary depending on the application load and JVM settings, but the risk of denial of service is significant.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate any potential risks. Although the exploitability is currently rated as medium, the potential for denial of service should prompt swift action.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects Apache Tomcat versions starting from 8.5.0 up to 8.5.100, from 9.0.0 up to 9.0.109, from 10.1.0 up to 10.1.46, and from 11.0.0 up to 11.0.11. Users should upgrade to version 11.0.12 or later, 10.1.47 or later, or 9.0.110 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize upgrading their Apache Tomcat installations to the latest versions to address this vulnerability. The recommended versions are 11.0.12 or later, 10.1.47 or later, or 9.0.110 or later. If immediate upgrades are not possible, consider implementing configuration hardening to limit the impact of multipart uploads and monitor application memory usage closely.
Organizations can also enhance their security posture by engaging in penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses that could be exploited.
Detection Guidance
Monitor application logs for any indicators of unusual multipart upload activities. Look for spikes in memory usage and performance degradation that may suggest resource exhaustion due to uncleaned temporary files. Additionally, analyze network traffic for patterns that might indicate an attempt to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management in web applications. Organizations must recognize the potential for denial of service attacks stemming from inadequate cleanup processes. This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to proactively assess and improve their resource management strategies.
To further strengthen defenses, consider engaging in penetration testing methodology to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across your environment.
Additionally, organizations should adopt a comprehensive vulnerability management program to prioritize and address risks effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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