CVE-2017-5651: Apache Tomcat Expected Behavior Violation Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9hg2-395j-83rm
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CVSS 9.8
CWE-440
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-5651 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) expected behavior violation vulnerability (CWE-440: Expected Behavior Violation) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves expected behavior violation in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13.

CVE-2017-5651 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-5651
GHSA Identifier GHSA-9hg2-395j-83rm
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.8
CWE Classification CWE-440: Expected Behavior Violation
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.8

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:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2017-5651

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-coyote fixed: 9.0.0.M19 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.0.M19</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 8.5.13 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.13</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.0.M19 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.0.M19</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 8.5.13 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.13</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-2017-5651, 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.M19), 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-440: Expected Behavior Violation, where a feature, api, or function does not perform according to its specification. 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

In Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M18 and 8.5.0 to 8.5.12, the refactoring of the HTTP connectors introduced a regression in the send file processing. If the send file processing completed quickly, it was possible for the Processor to be added to the processor cache twice. This could result in the same Processor being used for multiple requests which in turn could lead to unexpected errors and/or response mix-up.

CVE-2017-5651 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
9.0.0.M198.5.13
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 9.0.0.M1
< 9.0.0.M19
9.0.0.M19
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.13
8.5.13
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 9.0.0.M1
< 9.0.0.M19
9.0.0.M19
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 8.5.0
< 8.5.13
8.5.13

References

NVD — CVE-2017-5651 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5651
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/494429ca210641b6b7affe89a2b0a6c0ff70109b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/9233d9d6a018be4415d4d7d6cb4fe01176adf1a8
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20170420113605/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038219
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20170417124228/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97544
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180614-0001
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201705-09
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c144... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c144... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb80... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb80... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8885587... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8885587... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af4712... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af4712... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/6694538... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6694538826b87522fb723d2dcedd537e14ebe0a381d92e5525a531d8@%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/6694538... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6694538826b87522fb723d2dcedd537e14ebe0a381d92e5525a531d8%40%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Aapache%2Ftomcat+apache.coyote+path%3A%2F%5Eres%5C%2Fbnd%5C%2F%2F&type=code
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.c... WEB
https://bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=60918
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-5651?
CVE-2017-5651 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Expected Behavior Violation in Apache Tomcat under CWE-440: Expected Behavior Violation.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core.
What version fixes CVE-2017-5651?
Upgrading to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat-coyote affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote is affected in releases prior to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13. Upgrade your dependency to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13 or later.
Is tomcat-embed-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13. Upgrade your dependency to 9.0.0.M19, 8.5.13 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-5651?
CVE-2017-5651 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-5651?
CVE-2017-5651 is classified under CWE-440: Expected Behavior Violation (A feature, API, or function does not perform according to its specification.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-5651?
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 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-9hg2-395j-83rm",
  "modified" : "2024-04-18T17:11:18Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:46:13Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-5651" ],
  "summary" : "Expected Behavior Violation in Apache Tomcat",
  "details" : "In Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M18 and 8.5.0 to 8.5.12, the refactoring of the HTTP connectors introduced a regression in the send file processing. If the send file processing completed quickly, it was possible for the Processor to be added to the processor cache twice. This could result in the same Processor being used for multiple requests which in turn could lead to unexpected errors and/or response mix-up.",
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    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-01T13:44:41Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2017-04-17T16:59:00Z"
  }
}