CVE-2023-34981: Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat Vulnerable To Information Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-mppv-79ch-vw6q
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CVSS 7.5
CWE-732
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-34981 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) apache tomcat vulnerable to information vulnerability (CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat vulnerable to information leak. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 11.0.0-M6, 10.1.9, 9.0.75, 8.5.89.

CVE-2023-34981 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-34981
GHSA Identifier GHSA-mppv-79ch-vw6q
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

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).

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 None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-34981

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.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 11.0.0-M6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M6</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 10.1.9 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.9</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.75 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.75</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 8.5.89 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>8.5.89</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.embed

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-34981, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed

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 11.0.0-M6), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed 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-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, where the product specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors. 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

A regression in the fix for bug 66512 in Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M5, 10.1.8, 9.0.74 and 8.5.88 meant that, if a response did not include any HTTP headers no AJP SEND_HEADERS message would be sent for the response which in turn meant that at least one AJP proxy (mod_proxy_ajp) would use the response headers from the previous request leading to an information leak.

CVE-2023-34981 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
11.0.0-M610.1.99.0.758.5.89
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M5
< 11.0.0-M6
All 1 versions
11.0.0-M5
11.0.0-M6
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 10.1.8
< 10.1.9
All 1 versions
10.1.8
10.1.9
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 9.0.74
< 9.0.75
All 1 versions
9.0.74
9.0.75
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 8.5.88
< 8.5.89
All 1 versions
8.5.88
8.5.89

References

NVD — CVE-2023-34981 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34981
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/2214c8030522aa9b2a367dfa5d9acff1a03666ae
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/2f0ca2378415f4cf0748f4bc8fa955f41f803fa5
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/739c7381aed22b7636351caf885ddc519ab6b442
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/f0742f47b98aca943097f7f88e0d1163f57527e3
bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.c... WEB
https://bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=66512
bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.c... WEB
https://bz.apache.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=66591
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
lists.apache.org/thread/j1ksjh9m9gx1... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/j1ksjh9m9gx1q60rtk1sbzmxhvj5h5qz
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230714-0003
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-10.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-11.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-8.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-9.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-34981?
CVE-2023-34981 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat vulnerable to information leak under CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 11.0.0-M6, 10.1.9, 9.0.75, 8.5.89 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote.
What version fixes CVE-2023-34981?
Upgrading to 11.0.0-M6, 10.1.9, 9.0.75, 8.5.89 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat-embed-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 11.0.0-M6, 10.1.9, 9.0.75. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M6, 10.1.9, 9.0.75 or later.
Is tomcat-coyote affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote is affected in releases prior to 8.5.89. Upgrade your dependency to 8.5.89 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-34981?
CVE-2023-34981 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-34981?
CVE-2023-34981 is classified under CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource (The product specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-34981?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat.embed'. 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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  "id" : "GHSA-mppv-79ch-vw6q",
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  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat vulnerable to information leak",
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  } ],
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/j1ksjh9m9gx1q60rtk1sbzmxhvj5h5qz"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230714-0003"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://tomcat.apache.org/security-10.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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  }, {
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  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-06-21T22:06:39Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-06-21T11:15:09Z"
  }
}