CVE-2001-0829: Apache Tomcat Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-58hj-575g-5j25
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CWE-80
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2001-0829 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 allows webmasters to insert xss into error messages. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2001-0829 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2001-0829
GHSA Identifier GHSA-58hj-575g-5j25
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-2001-0829

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-2001-0829, 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

A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 3.2.1 allows a malicious webmaster to embed Javascript in a request for a .JSP file, which causes the Javascript to be inserted into an error message.

CVE-2001-0829 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≤ 3.2.1

References

NVD — CVE-2001-0829 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2001-0829
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20021108153830/http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/2982
web.archive.org/web/20021201182720/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20021201182720/http://jakarta.apache.org/tomcat/tomcat-3.2-doc/readme
web.archive.org/web/20061208015126/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20061208015126/http://archive.cert.uni-stuttgart.de/archive/bugtraq/2001/07/msg00021.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2001-0829?
CVE-2001-0829 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat allows webmasters to insert xss into error messages 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-2001-0829?
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-2001-0829?
CVE-2001-0829 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-2001-0829?
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-58hj-575g-5j25",
  "modified" : "2023-09-18T22:35:47Z",
  "published" : "2022-04-30T18:16:47Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2001-0829" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat allows webmasters to insert xss into error messages",
  "details" : "A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 3.2.1 allows a malicious webmaster to embed Javascript in a request for a .JSP file, which causes the Javascript to be inserted into an error message.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "3.2.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2001-0829"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20021108153830/http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/2982"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20021201182720/http://jakarta.apache.org/tomcat/tomcat-3.2-doc/readme"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20061208015126/http://archive.cert.uni-stuttgart.de/archive/bugtraq/2001/07/msg00021.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-80" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-09-18T22:35:47Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2001-12-06T05:00:00Z"
  }
}