CVE-2007-3384: Apache Tomcat Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-36hp-4x3g-phrg
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CWE-80
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2007-3384 is a MODERATE cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS)) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat's cookieexample vulnerable to xss. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2007-3384 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2007-3384
GHSA Identifier GHSA-36hp-4x3g-phrg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS)
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2007-3384

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache Tomcat dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2007-3384, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache Tomcat in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS), where the product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages. In Apache Tomcat, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in `examples/servlet/CookieExample` in Apache Tomcat 3.3 through 3.3.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name or (2) Value field, related to error messages.

CVE-2007-3384 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 3.3.0
≤ 3.3.2

References

NVD — CVE-2007-3384 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-3384
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20070824135030/http://securityreason.com/securityalert/2971
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20071117100258/http://securitytracker.com/alerts/2007/Aug/1018503.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20170323011513/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25174
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20201207035111/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475321/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-3.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2007-3384?
CVE-2007-3384 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat's CookieExample Vulnerable to XSS under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS).
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.
What version fixes CVE-2007-3384?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2007-3384?
CVE-2007-3384 is classified under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) (The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2007-3384?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-36hp-4x3g-phrg",
  "modified" : "2023-09-22T21:05:24Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-01T18:13:15Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2007-3384" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat's CookieExample Vulnerable to XSS",
  "details" : "Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in `examples/servlet/CookieExample` in Apache Tomcat 3.3 through 3.3.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name or (2) Value field, related to error messages.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.3.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "3.3.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-3384"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20070824135030/http://securityreason.com/securityalert/2971"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20071117100258/http://securitytracker.com/alerts/2007/Aug/1018503.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20170323011513/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25174"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20201207035111/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475321/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-3.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-80" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-09-22T21:05:24Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2007-08-08T01:17:00Z"
  }
}