CVE-2011-2526: Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9ggm-7897-x4mg
Share
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2011-2526 is a MODERATE improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.5.34, 6.0.33, 7.0.19.

CVE-2011-2526 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2011-2526
GHSA Identifier GHSA-9ggm-7897-x4mg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2011-2526

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: 5.5.34 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>5.5.34</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 6.0.33 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>6.0.33</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 7.0.19 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.19</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-2011-2526, 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 5.5.34), 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

Apache Tomcat 5.5.x before 5.5.34, 6.x before 6.0.33, and 7.x before 7.0.19, when sendfile is enabled for the HTTP APR or HTTP NIO connector, does not validate certain request attributes, which allows local users to bypass intended file access restrictions or cause a denial of service (infinite loop or JVM crash) by leveraging an untrusted web application.

CVE-2011-2526 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.5.346.0.337.0.19
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
< 5.5.34
5.5.34
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 6.0.0
< 6.0.33
6.0.33
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.0.19
7.0.19

References

NVD — CVE-2011-2526 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-2526
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/1d372c881eafd9ffe729996f8560fd5fe50cd39d
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/2e69497fa7b1444632c6dadb64a4a82e18478ee6
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/48dded4ab1209a030770ab67a789d3b2528b6329
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/ff8789737a0a64c12d68929497f16d8021052048
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat55/commit/e67f6882118f2a8285e4e8acd050dad64a3ef3e4
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20161107143207/http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025788
web.archive.org/web/20160101195415/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20160101195415/http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0325.html
web.archive.org/web/20160101172638/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20160101172638/http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0077.html
web.archive.org/web/20160101172212/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20160101172212/http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0078.html
web.archive.org/web/20151017023138/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20151017023138/http://secunia.com/advisories/57126
web.archive.org/web/20140802025928/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20140802025928/http://secunia.com/advisories/48308
web.archive.org/web/20121025191346/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20121025191346/http://secunia.com/advisories/45232
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20111110135231/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/518889/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20110717104325/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/48667
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A19514
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A14573
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a71... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb63... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/685... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/68541
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi WEB
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=720948
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2012:00... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012:0076
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2012:00... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012:0075
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2012:00... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012:0074
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=132215163318824&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133469267822771&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2
marc.info/ WEB
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=139344343412337&w=2
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1145383
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1145571
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1145694
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1146005
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-7.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2401
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:156

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-2526?
CVE-2011-2526 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Improper Input Validation in Apache Tomcat under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.5.34, 6.0.33, 7.0.19 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.
What version fixes CVE-2011-2526?
Upgrading to 5.5.34, 6.0.33, 7.0.19 (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 5.5.34, 6.0.33, 7.0.19. Upgrade your dependency to 5.5.34, 6.0.33, 7.0.19 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2011-2526?
CVE-2011-2526 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-2011-2526?
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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  "id" : "GHSA-9ggm-7897-x4mg",
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}