CVE-2023-46589: Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-fccv-jmmp-qg76
Share
CVSS 7.5
CWE-444 CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-46589 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) apache tomcat improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-444: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request/Response Smuggling')) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat improper input validation vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96.

CVE-2023-46589 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-46589
GHSA Identifier GHSA-fccv-jmmp-qg76
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-444: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request/Response Smuggling')
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

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:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).

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 High (I:H)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-46589

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-catalina fixed: 11.0.0-M11 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M11</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina fixed: 10.1.16 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.16</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina fixed: 9.0.83 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.83</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina fixed: 8.5.96 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.96</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 11.0.0-M11 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M11</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 10.1.16 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.16</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.83 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.83</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 8.5.96 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.96</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 11.0.0-M11 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M11</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-2023-46589, 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 11.0.0-M11), 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-444: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request/Response Smuggling'), where the product acts as an intermediary http agent (such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two entities such as a client and server, but it does not interpret malformed http requests or responses in ways that are consistent with how the messages will be processed by those entities that are at the ultimate destination. 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

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy. Older, EOL versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.

CVE-2023-46589 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

9 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
11.0.0-M1110.1.169.0.838.5.96
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M11
11.0.0-M11
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.16
10.1.16
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 9.0.0-M1
< 9.0.83
9.0.83
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.96
8.5.96
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M11
11.0.0-M11
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.16
10.1.16
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 9.0.0-M1
< 9.0.83
9.0.83
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.96
8.5.96
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M11
11.0.0-M11

References

NVD — CVE-2023-46589 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46589
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/6f181e1062a472bc5f0234980f66cbde42c1041b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/7a2d8818fcea0b51747a67af9510ce7977245ebd
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/aa92971e879a519384c517febc39fd04c48d4642
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/b5776d769bffeade865061bc8ecbeb2b56167b08
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
lists.apache.org/thread/0rqq6ktozqc4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/0rqq6ktozqc42ro8hhxdmmdjm1k1tpxr
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/01/msg00001.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231214-0009
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-10.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-11.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-8.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-9.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/28/2
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/28/2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-46589?
CVE-2023-46589 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation vulnerability under CWE-444: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request/Response Smuggling').
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote.
What version fixes CVE-2023-46589?
Upgrading to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat-catalina affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina is affected in releases prior to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96 or later.
Is tomcat-embed-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M11, 10.1.16, 9.0.83, 8.5.96 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-46589?
CVE-2023-46589 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-46589?
CVE-2023-46589 is classified under CWE-444: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests ('HTTP Request/Response Smuggling') (The product acts as an intermediary HTTP agent (such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two entities such as a client and server, but it does not interpret malformed HTTP requests or responses in ways that are consistent with how the messages will be processed by those entities that are at the ultimate destination.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-46589?
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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  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-fccv-jmmp-qg76",
  "modified" : "2026-10-02T20:14:53Z",
  "published" : "2023-11-28T18:30:23Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-46589" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation vulnerability",
  "details" : "Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy. Older, EOL versions may also be affected.\n\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
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  }, {
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    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-11-28T16:15:06Z"
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}