CVE-2019-17563: Apache Tomcat Security Vulnerability Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving In Apache Tomcat, when using FORM authentication there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack under CWE-384: Session Fixation.

Q: Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2019-17563?

Upgrading to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is tomcat-embed-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 is classified under CWE-384: Session Fixation (Authenticating a user, or otherwise establishing a new user session, without invalidating any existing session identifier gives an attacker the opportunity to steal authenticated sessions.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2019-17563?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed'. 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-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c

CVSS 7.5

CWE-384

Published 2019-12-26

Advisory Summary

CVE-2019-17563 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) security vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-384: Session Fixation) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves in apache tomcat, when using form authentication there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30.

CVE-2019-17563 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2019-17563

GHSA Identifier GHSA-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c

Severity HIGH

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5

CWE Classification CWE-384: Session Fixation

Affected Product Apache Tomcat

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2019-12-26

Last Updated 2022-10-07

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality High (C:H)

Integrity High (I:H)

Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2019-17563

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.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 7.0.99

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.99</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 8.5.50

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.50</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.30

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.30</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.embed

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2019-17563, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

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 7.0.99), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed 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-384: Session Fixation, where authenticating a user, or otherwise establishing a new user session, without invalidating any existing session identifier gives an attacker the opportunity to steal authenticated sessions. 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

When using FORM authentication with Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.29, 8.5.0 to 8.5.49 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.98 there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack. The window was considered too narrow for an exploit to be practical but, erring on the side of caution, this issue has been treated as a security vulnerability.

CVE-2019-17563 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

3 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

7.0.998.5.509.0.30

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core	Maven	< 7.0.99	7.0.99
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core	Maven	≥ 8.0.0 < 8.5.50	8.5.50
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core	Maven	≥ 9.0.0 < 9.0.30	9.0.30

References

NVD — CVE-2019-17563 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-17563

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4680

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4596

usn.ubuntu.com/4251-1 WEB

https://usn.ubuntu.com/4251-1

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200107-0001

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-43

seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/dec/43 WEB

https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/43

lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/05/msg00026.html

lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/01/msg00024.html

lists.apache.org/thread.html/reb9a66... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/reb9a66f176df29b9a832caa95ebd9ffa3284e8f4922ec4fa3ad8eb2e@%3Cissues.cxf.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fa... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c144... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb80... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/8b4c1db... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8b4c1db8300117b28a0f3f743c0b9e3f964687a690cdf9662a884bbd%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E

Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/apache/tomcat

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00013.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving In Apache Tomcat, when using FORM authentication there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack under CWE-384: Session Fixation.

Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core.

What version fixes CVE-2019-17563?

Upgrading to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is tomcat-embed-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.99, 8.5.50, 9.0.30 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-17563?

CVE-2019-17563 is classified under CWE-384: Session Fixation (Authenticating a user, or otherwise establishing a new user session, without invalidating any existing session identifier gives an attacker the opportunity to steal authenticated sessions.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2019-17563?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed'. 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-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c",
  "modified" : "2022-10-07T20:34:53Z",
  "published" : "2019-12-26T18:22:26Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2019-17563" ],
  "summary" : "In Apache Tomcat, when using FORM authentication there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack",
  "details" : "When using FORM authentication with Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.29, 8.5.0 to 8.5.49 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.98 there was a narrow window where an attacker could perform a session fixation attack. The window was considered too narrow for an exploit to be practical but, erring on the side of caution, this issue has been treated as a security vulnerability.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.0.99"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "8.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "8.5.50"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "9.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "9.0.30"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-17563"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4680"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4596"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4251-1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200107-0001"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-43"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/43"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/05/msg00026.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/01/msg00024.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/reb9a66f176df29b9a832caa95ebd9ffa3284e8f4922ec4fa3ad8eb2e@%3Cissues.cxf.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8b4c1db8300117b28a0f3f743c0b9e3f964687a690cdf9662a884bbd%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/tomcat"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00013.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-384" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2019-12-26T18:22:01Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2019-12-23T17:15:00Z"
  }
}

CVSS V3

7.5 HIGH

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality High (C:H)

Integrity High (I:H)

Availability High (A:H)

Vector String

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2019-12-26 18:22
Last Modified: 2022-10-07 20:34
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2019/12/GHSA-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c/GHSA-9xcj-c8cr-8c3c.json