CVE-2017-15706: Apache Tomcat Inconsistent Documentation Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2017-15706 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.3) inconsistent documentation vulnerability (CWE-358: Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves inconsistent documentation in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.0.2, 8.5.24, 8.0.48, 7.0.84.
CVE-2017-15706 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 5.3
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:N/I:L/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2017-15706
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>9.0.2</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>8.5.24</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>8.0.48</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
<artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
<version>7.0.84</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-2017-15706, 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 9.0.2), 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-358: Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard, where the product does not implement or incorrectly implements one or more security-relevant checks as specified by the design of a standardized algorithm, protocol, or technique. 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-2017-15706 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 9.0.0.M22
< 9.0.2
|
9.0.2
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 8.5.16
< 8.5.24
|
8.5.24
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 8.0.45
< 8.0.48
|
8.0.48
|
|
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
|
Maven |
≥ 7.0.79
< 7.0.84
|
7.0.84
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2017-15706?
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2017-15706?
Is tomcat affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-15706?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-15706?
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Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-372q-33vh-8mpc",
"modified" : "2023-12-08T23:04:56Z",
"published" : "2022-05-14T01:10:15Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-15706" ],
"summary" : "Inconsistent documentation in Apache Tomcat",
"details" : "As part of the fix for bug 61201, the documentation for Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M22 to 9.0.1, 8.5.16 to 8.5.23, 8.0.45 to 8.0.47 and 7.0.79 to 7.0.82 included an updated description of the search algorithm used by the CGI Servlet to identify which script to execute. The update was not correct. As a result, some scripts may have failed to execute as expected and other scripts may have been executed unexpectedly. Note that the behaviour of the CGI servlet has remained unchanged in this regard. It is only the documentation of the behaviour that was wrong and has been corrected.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N"
} ],
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},
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}, {
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} ]
} ]
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"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-1068", "CWE-358" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-11-03T18:47:34Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2018-01-31T14:29:00Z"
}
}