CVE-2017-12615: Apache Tomcat When Running Apache Tomcat On Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-pjfr-qf3p-3q25
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CVSS 8.1
CWE-434
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-12615 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.1) when running apache tomcat on vulnerability (CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves when running apache tomcat on windows with http puts enabled it was possible to upload a jsp file to the server. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.0.79.

CVE-2017-12615 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-12615
GHSA Identifier GHSA-pjfr-qf3p-3q25
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.1
CWE Classification CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.1

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

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2017-12615

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: 7.0.79 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.79</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-2017-12615, 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 7.0.79), 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-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, where the product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment. 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 running Apache Tomcat 7.0.0 to 7.0.79 on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

CVE-2017-12615 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
7.0.79
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.0.79
7.0.79

References

NVD — CVE-2017-12615 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12615
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://www.synology.com/support/security/Synology_SA_17_54_Tomcat
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42953 WEB
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42953
www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vul... WEB
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-12615
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20171018-0001
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8fcb1e2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8fcb1e2d5895413abcf266f011b9918ae03e0b7daceb118ffbf23f8c@%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8fcb1e2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8fcb1e2d5895413abcf266f011b9918ae03e0b7daceb118ffbf23f8c%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/breaktoprotect/CVE-2017-12615
lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-pjfr-qf3p-3q25
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:04... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0466
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:04... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0465
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2017:31... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3114
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2017:31... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3113
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2017:30... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3081
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2017:30... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3080
breaktoprotect.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-case-of... WEB
http://breaktoprotect.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-case-of-cve-2017-12615-tomcat-7-put.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100901
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039392

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12615?
CVE-2017-12615 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving When running Apache Tomcat on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 7.0.79 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core.
What version fixes CVE-2017-12615?
Upgrading to 7.0.79 (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 7.0.79. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.79 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-12615?
CVE-2017-12615 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-12615?
CVE-2017-12615 is classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-12615?
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-pjfr-qf3p-3q25",
  "modified" : "2025-10-22T17:31:15Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-17T16:30:31Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-12615" ],
  "summary" : "When running Apache Tomcat on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server",
  "details" : "When running Apache Tomcat 7.0.0 to 7.0.79 on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.0.79"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12615"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42953"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-12615"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20171018-0001"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/breaktoprotect/CVE-2017-12615"
  }, {
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0466"
  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3114"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3113"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3081"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3080"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://breaktoprotect.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-case-of-cve-2017-12615-tomcat-7-put.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100901"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039392"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-434" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:49:21Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2017-09-19T13:29:00Z"
  }
}