CVE-2024-38286: Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7jqf-v358-p8g7
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CVSS 8.6
CWE-770
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-38286 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.6) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat allocation of resources without limits or throttling vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90.

CVE-2024-38286 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-38286
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7jqf-v358-p8g7
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.6
CWE Classification CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.6

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:C/C:N/I:N/A:H).

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

How to Fix CVE-2024-38286

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: 11.0.0-M21 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M21</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 10.1.25 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.25</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: 9.0.90 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.90</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-coyote</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 11.0.0-M21 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>11.0.0-M21</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 10.1.25 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>10.1.25</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: 9.0.90 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>9.0.90</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</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-2024-38286, 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 11.0.0-M21), 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-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, where the product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any intended restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated. 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

Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M20, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.24, from 9.0.13 through 9.0.89. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: 8.5.35 through 8.5.100 and 7.0.92 through 7.0.109. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, or 9.0.90, which fixes the issue. Apache Tomcat, under certain configurations on any platform, allows an attacker to cause an OutOfMemoryError by abusing the TLS handshake process.

CVE-2024-38286 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

10 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
11.0.0-M2110.1.259.0.90
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M21
11.0.0-M21
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.25
10.1.25
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 9.0.13
< 9.0.90
9.0.90
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 8.5.35
≤ 8.5.100
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat-coyote
Maven
≥ 7.0.92
≤ 7.0.109
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 11.0.0-M1
< 11.0.0-M21
11.0.0-M21
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 10.1.0-M1
< 10.1.25
10.1.25
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 9.0.13
< 9.0.90
9.0.90
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 8.5.35
≤ 8.5.100
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed/tomcat-embed-core
Maven
≥ 7.0.92
≤ 7.0.109

References

NVD — CVE-2024-38286 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38286
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/3197862639732e16ec1164557bcd289ebc116c93
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/3344c17cef094da4bb616f4186ed32039627b543
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/76c5cce6f0bcef14b0c21c38910371ca7d322d13
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
lists.apache.org/thread/wms60cvbsz3f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/wms60cvbsz3fpbz9psxtfx8r41jl6d4s
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00009.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20241101-0010
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/09/23/2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-38286?
CVE-2024-38286 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability under CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core.
What version fixes CVE-2024-38286?
Upgrading to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90 (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 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90, Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90, Latest secure release or later.
Is tomcat-embed-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core is affected in releases prior to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90, Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, 9.0.90, Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-38286?
CVE-2024-38286 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-38286?
CVE-2024-38286 is classified under CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling (The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any intended restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2024-38286?
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-7jqf-v358-p8g7",
  "modified" : "2026-07-01T16:24:31Z",
  "published" : "2024-11-07T09:30:42Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-38286" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability",
  "details" : "Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability in Apache Tomcat.\n\nThis issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M20, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.24, from 9.0.13 through 9.0.89. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: 8.5.35 through 8.5.100 and 7.0.92 through 7.0.109.\n\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, or 9.0.90, which fixes the issue.\n\nApache Tomcat, under certain configurations on any platform, allows an attacker to cause an OutOfMemoryError by abusing the TLS handshake process.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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  }, {
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  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38286"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/3197862639732e16ec1164557bcd289ebc116c93"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/3344c17cef094da4bb616f4186ed32039627b543"
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/wms60cvbsz3fpbz9psxtfx8r41jl6d4s"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00009.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20241101-0010"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/09/23/2"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-11-07T17:25:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-11-07T08:15:13Z"
  }
}