CVE-2009-0033: Apache Tomcat Denial of Service Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-5cw4-ggx9-36vg
Share
CWE-400 CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2009-0033 is a MODERATE denial of service vulnerability (CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat denial of service via malformed request headers. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2009-0033 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2009-0033
GHSA Identifier GHSA-5cw4-ggx9-36vg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2009-0033

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>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
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-2009-0033, 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-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, where the product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource. 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

Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.39, 5.5.0 through 5.5.27, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.18, when the Java AJP connector and mod_jk load balancing are used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application outage) via a crafted request with invalid headers, related to temporary blocking of connectors that have encountered errors, as demonstrated by an error involving a malformed HTTP Host header.

CVE-2009-0033 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

3 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 4.1.0
≤ 4.1.39
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 5.5.0
≤ 5.5.27
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 6.0.0
≤ 6.0.18

References

NVD — CVE-2009-0033 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0033
www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01246.html
www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01216.html
www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01156.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5739
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A19110
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10231
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a71... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a71... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb63... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb63... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/509... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50928
jvn.jp/en/jp/jvn87272440/i... WEB
http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN87272440/index.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-07/msg00002.html
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=129070310906557&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133469267822771&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://securitytracker.com/id?1022331
sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do WEB
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-263529-1
support.apple.com/kb/ht4077 WEB
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?rev=742915&view=rev
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?rev=781362&view=rev
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2207
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:136
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:138
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:176
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504044/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507985/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35193
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-0033?
CVE-2009-0033 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Denial of Service via Malformed Request Headers under CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption.
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-2009-0033?
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-2009-0033?
CVE-2009-0033 is classified under CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2009-0033?
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-5cw4-ggx9-36vg",
  "modified" : "2024-01-23T17:52:36Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-02T03:12:29Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2009-0033" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Denial of Service via Malformed Request Headers",
  "details" : "Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.39, 5.5.0 through 5.5.27, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.18, when the Java AJP connector and mod_jk load balancing are used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application outage) via a crafted request with invalid headers, related to temporary blocking of connectors that have encountered errors, as demonstrated by an error involving a malformed HTTP Host header.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.1.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "4.1.39"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.5.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "5.5.27"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.0.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "6.0.18"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0033"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01246.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01216.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01156.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5739"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A19110"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10231"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50928"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN87272440/index.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-07/msg00002.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=129070310906557&w=2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133469267822771&w=2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://securitytracker.com/id?1022331"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-263529-1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?rev=742915&view=rev"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?rev=781362&view=rev"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2207"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:136"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:138"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:176"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504044/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507985/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35193"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20", "CWE-400" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-01-23T17:52:36Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2009-06-05T16:00:00Z"
  }
}