CVE-2016-8745: Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2016-8745 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.0.0.M14, 8.5.9, 8.0.41, 7.0.75, 6.0.50.
CVE-2016-8745 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2016-8745
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.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat-util</artifactId>
<version>9.0.0.M14</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat-util</artifactId>
<version>8.5.9</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat-util</artifactId>
<version>8.0.41</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat-util</artifactId>
<version>7.0.75</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat-util</artifactId>
<version>6.0.50</version>
</dependency>
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-2016-8745, 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 9.0.0.M14), 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-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition'), where the product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently. 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
CVE-2016-8745 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions
5 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-util
|
Maven |
≥ 9.0.0.M1
< 9.0.0.M14
|
9.0.0.M14
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-util
|
Maven |
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.9
|
8.5.9
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-util
|
Maven |
≥ 8.0.0-RC1
< 8.0.41
|
8.0.41
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-util
|
Maven |
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.0.75
|
7.0.75
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-util
|
Maven |
≥ 6.0.16
< 6.0.50
|
6.0.50
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2016-8745?
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2016-8745?
Is tomcat-util affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-8745?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-8745?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2016-8745?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-w3j5-q8f2-3cqq",
"modified" : "2025-09-02T22:30:26Z",
"published" : "2022-05-14T01:10:16Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-8745" ],
"summary" : "Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization in Apache Tomcat",
"details" : "A bug in the error handling of the send file code for the NIO HTTP connector in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M13, 8.5.0 to 8.5.8, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.39, 7.0.0 to 7.0.73 and 6.0.16 to 6.0.48 resulted in the current Processor object being added to the Processor cache multiple times. This in turn meant that the same Processor could be used for concurrent requests. Sharing a Processor can result in information leakage between requests including, not not limited to, session ID and the response body. The bug was first noticed in 8.5.x onwards where it appears the refactoring of the Connector code for 8.5.x onwards made it more likely that the bug was observed. Initially it was thought that the 8.5.x refactoring introduced the bug but further investigation has shown that the bug is present in all currently supported Tomcat versions.",
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"score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
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"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-362" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-06T19:48:38Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2017-08-10T22:29:00Z"
}
}