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Full vulnerability report · 2017
CVE-2017-12617High confidence

Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Apache · Tomcat

8.1HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-04-15 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Select the national-authority views to include. The exact source language is shown on each matched advisory. Your choice is remembered on this device and encoded in the shareable URL.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2022-5811

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

When running Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0, 8.5.0 to 8.5.22, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.81 with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default servlet to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 25 Mar 2022. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
8.1 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
22 linked advisory records
Explicit mitigation evidence

Only statements that explicitly mention a fix, patch, update, workaround or mitigation are shown here.

  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0466Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Web Server 3.1.0 Service Pack 2 security update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2017:3059-1Security update for tomcat
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0268Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.4.19 security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2017:3114Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Web Server security and bug fix update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2017:3113Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Web Server security and bug fix update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2017:3279-1Security update for tomcat
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2017:3080Red Hat Security Advisory: tomcat6 security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0269Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.4.19 security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0275Red Hat Security Advisory: jboss-ec2-eap security, bug fix, and enhancement update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0465Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Web Server 3.1.0 Service Pack 2 security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2017:3081Red Hat Security Advisory: tomcat security update
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0271Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.4.19 security update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2021:14705-1Security update for tomcat6
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:0270Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.4.19 security update
  • csaf_suse · SUSE-SU-2017:3039-1Security update for tomcat
  • csaf_redhat · RHSA-2018:2939Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat FIS 2.0 on Fuse 6.3.0 R8 security and bug fix update
Recommended actionPatch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-04-15 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

When running Apache Tomcat, it is possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

What

When running Apache Tomcat, it is possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

Why

The upload path does not sufficiently restrict the type, name, location or later execution of attacker-supplied files.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

What

When running Apache Tomcat, it is possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

Why

The upload path does not sufficiently restrict the type, name, location or later execution of attacker-supplied files.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2022-03-25.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-434 ↗

CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedCWE-434CISA KEVPublic exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-5811Known-exploited evidence recorded

When running Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0, 8.5.0 to 8.5.22, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.81 with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default servlet to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.

Official EUVD record
BSI · German · WID-SEC-W-2025-1212Oracle Communications Applications: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Oracle Communications Applications ausnutzen, um dadurch die Integrität, Vertraulichkeit und Verfügbarkeit zu gefährden.

Official advisory
BSI · German · WID-SEC-W-2025-0422Apache Tomcat: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Codeausführung

Ein entfernter, anonymer Angreifer kann eine Schwachstelle in Apache Tomcat ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen.

Official advisory
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0; 8.5.0 to 8.5.22; 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46; 7.0.0 to 7.0.81
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 3 Oct 2017 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:55 UTC · CWE-434 · Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-01
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-5811
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates →
  1. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed from vendor advisory to authoritative remediation link · patch.
    Before
    vendor advisory
    After
    authoritative remediation link · patch
    af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 ↗
  2. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0; 8.5.0 to 8.5.22; 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46; 7.0.0 to 7.0.81 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0; 8.5.0 to 8.5.22; 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46; 7.0.0 to 7.0.81 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
  3. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Patch available
    af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 ↗
  4. CVSS scoreCVSS scoring authority changed from CISA ADP to NIST NVD; the displayed base score remained 8.1.
    Before
    8.1 (CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    After
    8.1 (CVSS 3.1 · NIST NVD · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    NIST NVD ↗
  5. ENISA known-exploited stateENISA EUVD now records this CVE in its known-exploited dataset.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2022-5811","listed":true,"sources":["cisa_kev"]}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  6. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2022-5811 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2022-5811"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  7. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-5811↗CISA KEV record↗Patch or update reference↗Patch or update reference↗Patch or update reference↗Patch or update reference↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Public exploit reference↗Public exploit reference↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2017-12617 · cve.blacktree.nl