CVE-2007-4724: Apache Tomcat Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g77g-vjjm-x83j
Share
CWE-352
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2007-4724 is a MODERATE cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat example application csrf and xss vulnerabilities. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2007-4724 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2007-4724
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g77g-vjjm-x83j
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2007-4724

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-2007-4724, 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-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), where the web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor. 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

Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in cal2.jsp in the calendar examples application in Apache Tomcat 4.1.31 allows remote attackers to add events as arbitrary users via the time and description parameters.

CVE-2007-4724 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≤ 4.1.31

References

NVD — CVE-2007-4724 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-4724
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20070911063436/http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3094
web.archive.org/web/20081006123851/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20081006123851/http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2007-09/0040.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200526022330/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/478491/100/0/threaded

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2007-4724?
CVE-2007-4724 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Example Application CSRF and XSS Vulnerabilities under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).
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-2007-4724?
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-2007-4724?
CVE-2007-4724 is classified under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) (The web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2007-4724?
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-g77g-vjjm-x83j",
  "modified" : "2023-09-22T21:06:56Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-01T18:26:30Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2007-4724" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Example Application CSRF and XSS Vulnerabilities",
  "details" : "Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in cal2.jsp in the calendar examples application in Apache Tomcat 4.1.31 allows remote attackers to add events as arbitrary users via the time and description parameters.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "4.1.31"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-4724"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20070911063436/http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3094"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20081006123851/http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2007-09/0040.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200526022330/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/478491/100/0/threaded"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-352" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-09-22T21:06:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2007-09-05T19:17:00Z"
  }
}