CVE-2011-1582 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Tomcat 7.0.12 and 7.0.13 processes the first request to a servlet without following security constraints that have been configured through annotations, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via HTTP requests. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2011-1088, CVE-2011-1183, and CVE-2011-1419.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
Apache Tomcat vulnerability CVE-2011-1582 represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of web applications deployed on the platform. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 7.0.12 and 7.0.13 of the Apache Tomcat server, where the security constraint mechanisms fail to properly enforce access restrictions during the initial request processing phase. The flaw operates at the servlet level where annotations that define security constraints are not being properly evaluated, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to bypass intended authorization controls. This issue emerged as a regression following previous security fixes for CVE-2011-1088, CVE-2011-1183, and CVE-2011-1419, indicating that the remediation efforts were incomplete or improperly implemented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Tomcat handles the first request to a servlet within a web application context. When a user makes their initial HTTP request to a protected servlet, the server fails to properly process the security annotations that should restrict access based on user roles or authentication status. This occurs because the security constraint evaluation logic is bypassed during the first request cycle, allowing unauthorized access to resources that should be protected. The flaw essentially creates a race condition where the security framework does not yet have sufficient context to properly evaluate access controls, particularly when dealing with annotation-based security configurations. This behavior aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates how incomplete security implementations can create persistent vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to significant risk as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected application resources without proper authentication or authorization. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specific HTTP requests that trigger the initial servlet processing path, thereby bypassing the security constraints that should normally prevent access to sensitive functionality. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as unauthorized access to protected servlets could potentially lead to privilege escalation, data manipulation, or complete system compromise depending on the application's security model and the resources being protected. This vulnerability particularly affects applications that rely heavily on annotation-based security controls and could be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the application infrastructure.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2011-1582 requires immediate deployment of patched versions of Apache Tomcat, specifically versions that properly address the incomplete fix for the related CVEs. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security testing procedures that include validating access control mechanisms during initial request processing. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications that may be affected by this flaw and ensure that all servlet security annotations are properly enforced regardless of request sequence. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual access patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. This vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough regression testing when implementing security patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security gaps that require immediate attention and remediation.