CVE-2016-6797: Apache Tomcat Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2016-6797 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) incorrect authorization vulnerability (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves incorrect authorization in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.0.0.M10, 8.5.5, 8.0.37, 7.0.72.
CVE-2016-6797 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2016-6797
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</artifactId>
<version>9.0.0.M10</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>8.5.5</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>8.0.37</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>7.0.72</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-2016-6797, 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.M10), 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-863: Incorrect Authorization, where the product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check. 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-2016-6797 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 9.0.0.M1
< 9.0.0.M10
|
9.0.0.M10
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.5
|
8.5.5
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 8.0.0
< 8.0.37
|
8.0.37
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.0.72
|
7.0.72
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2016-6797?
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2016-6797?
Is tomcat affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-6797?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-6797?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2016-6797?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-q6x7-f33r-3wxx",
"modified" : "2024-02-23T16:16:51Z",
"published" : "2022-05-13T01:02:15Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-6797" ],
"summary" : "Incorrect Authorization in Apache Tomcat",
"details" : "The ResourceLinkFactory implementation in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M9, 8.5.0 to 8.5.4, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.36, 7.0.0 to 7.0.70 and 6.0.0 to 6.0.45 did not limit web application access to global JNDI resources to those resources explicitly linked to the web application. Therefore, it was possible for a web application to access any global JNDI resource whether an explicit ResourceLink had been configured or not.",
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}