CVE-2012-5886: Apache Tomcat Improper Authentication Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9xrj-439h-62hg
Share
CWE-287
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-5886 is a MODERATE improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287: Improper Authentication) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper authentication in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30.

CVE-2012-5886 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-5886
GHSA Identifier GHSA-9xrj-439h-62hg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-287: Improper Authentication
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-5886

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-catalina fixed: 5.5.36 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>5.5.36</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina fixed: 6.0.36 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>6.0.36</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina fixed: 7.0.30 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-catalina</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.30</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-2012-5886, 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 5.5.36), 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-287: Improper Authentication, where when an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. 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

The HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation in Apache Tomcat 5.5.x before 5.5.36, 6.x before 6.0.36, and 7.x before 7.0.30 caches information about the authenticated user within the session state, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass authentication via vectors related to the session ID.

CVE-2012-5886 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.5.366.0.367.0.30
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 5.5.0
< 5.5.36
5.5.36
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 6.0.0
< 6.0.36
6.0.36
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-catalina
Maven
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.0.30
7.0.30

References

NVD — CVE-2012-5886 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-5886
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/804... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/80407
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/20... WEB
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-12/msg00089.html
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/20... WEB
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-12/msg00090.html
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/20... WEB
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-01/msg00037.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0623.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0629.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0631.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0632.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0640.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0647.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-06... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0648.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2013-07... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0726.html
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1377807
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1380829
svn.apache.org/viewvc WEB
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1392248
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
www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss WEB
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21626891
www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-1637-1 WEB
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1637-1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-5886?
CVE-2012-5886 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Improper Authentication in Apache Tomcat under CWE-287: Improper Authentication.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina.
What version fixes CVE-2012-5886?
Upgrading to 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat-catalina affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina is affected in releases prior to 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30. Upgrade your dependency to 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-5886?
CVE-2012-5886 is classified under CWE-287: Improper Authentication (When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-5886?
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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  "published" : "2022-05-17T01:38:30Z",
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  "summary" : "Improper Authentication in Apache Tomcat",
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    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0648.html"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1377807"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1380829"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1392248"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-7.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21626891"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1637-1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
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    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-12T22:16:12Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-11-17T19:55:00Z"
  }
}