CVE-2013-4444: Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat Unrestricted File Upload Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-h6c8-x5r3-pm88
CWE-94
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2013-4444 is a MODERATE apache tomcat unrestricted file upload vulnerability (CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat unrestricted file upload vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.0.40.

CVE-2013-4444 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2013-4444
GHSA Identifier GHSA-h6c8-x5r3-pm88
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2013-4444

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: 7.0.40
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.40</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-2013-4444, 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 7.0.40), 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-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment. 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

Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 7.x before 7.0.40, in certain situations involving outdated java.io.File code and a custom JMX configuration, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading and accessing a JSP file.

CVE-2013-4444 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
7.0.40
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
Maven
≥ 7.0
< 7.0.40
7.0.40

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2013-4444?
CVE-2013-4444 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Unrestricted file upload vulnerability under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection').
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 7.0.40 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.
What version fixes CVE-2013-4444?
Upgrading to 7.0.40 (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 7.0.40. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.40 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2013-4444?
CVE-2013-4444 is classified under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2013-4444?
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
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-h6c8-x5r3-pm88",
  "modified" : "2023-08-17T22:16:37Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:12:13Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2013-4444" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Unrestricted file upload vulnerability",
  "details" : "Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 7.x before 7.0.40, in certain situations involving outdated java.io.File code and a custom JMX configuration, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading and accessing a JSP file.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.0.40"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-4444"
  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2014-09/0075.html"
  }, {
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    "url" : "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=144498216801440&w=2"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/10/24/12"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/Jan/23"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-7.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3447"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/69728"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1030834"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-94" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-08-17T22:16:37Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2014-09-12T01:55:00Z"
  }
}