CVE-2023-45648: Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-r6j3-px5g-cq3x
Share
CVSS 5.3
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-45648 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.3) apache tomcat improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) 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-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94.

CVE-2023-45648 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-45648
GHSA Identifier GHSA-r6j3-px5g-cq3x
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.3
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.3

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:L/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 Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-45648

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: 11.0.0-M12 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M12</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 10.1.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.14</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 9.0.81 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.81</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 8.5.94 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.94</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 11.0.0-M12 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M12</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 10.1.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.14</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.81 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.81</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 8.5.94 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.94</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 11.0.0-M12 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M12</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 10.1.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.14</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 9.0.81 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.81</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 8.5.94 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.94</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-2023-45648, 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-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-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. 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-M11, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.13, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.81 and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.93 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A specially crafted, invalid trailer header 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-M12 onwards, 10.1.14 onwards, 9.0.81 onwards or 8.5.94 onwards, which fix the issue.

CVE-2023-45648 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

12 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
11.0.0-M1210.1.149.0.818.5.94
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M12
11.0.0-M12
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.14
10.1.14
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 9.0.0-M1
< 9.0.81
9.0.81
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.94
8.5.94
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M12
11.0.0-M12
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.14
10.1.14
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 9.0.0-M1
< 9.0.81
9.0.81
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.94
8.5.94
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M12
11.0.0-M12
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.14
10.1.14
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 9.0.0-M1
< 9.0.81
9.0.81
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.94
8.5.94

References

NVD — CVE-2023-45648 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45648
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/59583245639d8c42ae0009f4a4a70464d3ea70a0
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/8ecff306507be8e4fd3adee1ae5de1ea6661a8f4
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/c83fe47725f7ae9ae213568d9039171124fb7ec6
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/eb5c094e5560764cda436362254997511a3ca1f6
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
lists.apache.org/thread/2pv8yz1pyp08... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/2pv8yz1pyp088tsxfb7ogltk9msk0jdp
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00020.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231103-0007
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5521
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5522
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/10/10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-45648?
CVE-2023-45648 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation vulnerability under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote.
What version fixes CVE-2023-45648?
Upgrading to 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94 (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 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94 or later.
Is tomcat-embed-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M12, 10.1.14, 9.0.81, 8.5.94 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-45648?
CVE-2023-45648 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-45648?
CVE-2023-45648 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-45648?
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-r6j3-px5g-cq3x",
  "modified" : "2026-06-12T19:57:51Z",
  "published" : "2023-10-10T21:31:12Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-45648" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation vulnerability",
  "details" : "Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat.\n\nTomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M11, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.13, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.81 and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.93 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A specially crafted, invalid trailer header could cause Tomcat to treat a single \nrequest 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-M12 onwards, 10.1.14 onwards, 9.0.81 onwards or 8.5.94 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:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
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      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
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  }, {
    "package" : {
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      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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  }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45648"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/eb5c094e5560764cda436362254997511a3ca1f6"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/tomcat"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/2pv8yz1pyp088tsxfb7ogltk9msk0jdp"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231103-0007"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5521"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5522"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/10/10"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-10-10T22:29:58Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-10-10T19:15:09Z"
  }
}