CVE-2016-6817: Apache Tomcat Improper Restriction Of Operations Within Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer in Apache Tomcat under CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop').

Q: Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2016-6817?

Upgrading to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is tomcat affected?

Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat is affected in releases prior to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8. Upgrade your dependency to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 is classified under CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop') (The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2016-6817?

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.

HIGH

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-698c-2x4j-g9gq

CVSS 7.5

CWE-835 CWE-119

Published 2022-05-14

Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-6817 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) improper restriction of operations within vulnerability (CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8.

CVE-2016-6817 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-6817

GHSA Identifier GHSA-698c-2x4j-g9gq

Severity HIGH

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5

CWE Classification CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')

Affected Product Apache Tomcat

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2022-05-14

Last Updated 2024-10-15

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2016-6817

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: 9.0.0.M12

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.0.M12</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 8.5.8

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.8</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-2016-6817, 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 9.0.0.M12), 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-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop'), where the product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop. 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

The HTTP/2 header parser in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M11 and 8.5.0 to 8.5.6 entered an infinite loop if a header was received that was larger than the available buffer. This made a denial of service attack possible.

CVE-2016-6817 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

2 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

9.0.0.M128.5.8

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat	Maven	≥ 9.0.0.M1 < 9.0.0.M12	9.0.0.M12
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat	Maven	≥ 8.5.0 < 8.5.8	8.5.8

References

NVD — CVE-2016-6817 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-6817

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/079372fc7bac8e2e378942715c9ce26a4a72c07a

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/85c63227edabbfb4f2f500fc557480a190135d21

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://web.archive.org/web/20200227174145/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94462

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://web.archive.org/web/20180115024458/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037330

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180607-0001

lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/a9f2457... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a9f24571460af003071475b75f18cad81ebcc36fa7c876965a75e32a@%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/a9f2457... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a9f24571460af003071475b75f18cad81ebcc36fa7c876965a75e32a%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/8885587... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/8885587... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af4712... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af4712... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/apache/tomcat

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94462

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037330

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer in Apache Tomcat under CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop').

Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.

What version fixes CVE-2016-6817?

Upgrading to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 (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 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8. Upgrade your dependency to 9.0.0.M12, 8.5.8 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-6817?

CVE-2016-6817 is classified under CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop') (The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2016-6817?

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

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  "details" : "The HTTP/2 header parser in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M11 and 8.5.0 to 8.5.6 entered an infinite loop if a header was received that was larger than the available buffer. This made a denial of service attack possible.",
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  }, {
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  "database_specific" : {
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  }
}

CVSS V3

7.5 HIGH

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability High (A:H)

Vector String

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-698c-2x4j-g9gq
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2022-05-14 01:10
Last Modified: 2024-10-15 23:33
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2022/05/GHSA-698c-2x4j-g9gq/GHSA-698c-2x4j-g9gq.json