CVE-2011-5062 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation in Apache Tomcat 5.5.x before 5.5.34, 6.x before 6.0.33, and 7.x before 7.0.12 does not check qop values, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended integrity-protection requirements via a qop=auth value, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-1184.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-5062 represents a significant security flaw in Apache Tomcat's HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation that affects multiple version ranges including 5.5.x before 5.5.34, 6.x before 6.0.33, and 7.x before 7.0.12. This weakness stems from the improper validation of quality of protection (qop) values during the authentication process, creating a potential pathway for attackers to circumvent intended security controls. The flaw specifically relates to how Tomcat processes the qop parameter in digest authentication responses, which is designed to ensure message integrity and prevent replay attacks. When the qop value is not properly validated, attackers can exploit this gap to perform authentication bypasses that undermine the security assurances typically provided by digest authentication mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw occurs because Tomcat's implementation fails to rigorously validate the qop parameter values, specifically allowing the use of qop=auth without proper verification. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the authentication flow by submitting a qop value that bypasses the intended integrity protection requirements. The vulnerability differs from CVE-2011-1184 in that it specifically targets the qop validation mechanism rather than other aspects of digest authentication. The implementation does not properly enforce that qop values must meet specific security criteria, allowing malicious actors to exploit the absence of proper validation checks. This oversight enables attackers to craft authentication requests that appear legitimate to the server while actually operating outside the intended security parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to potentially bypass authentication mechanisms that are critical for protecting web applications and their underlying resources. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can gain unauthorized access to protected resources without proper authentication credentials, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network environments. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only remote access and does not necessitate privileged access or complex exploitation techniques. Organizations using affected Tomcat versions face the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive applications, user data, and system resources, especially in environments where HTTP digest authentication is employed for access control. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the application's security posture and the resources being protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5062 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of Apache Tomcat where the qop validation has been properly implemented. System administrators should immediately apply the security patches released by Apache for versions 5.5.34, 6.0.33, and 7.0.12 respectively, ensuring that all affected systems are updated to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing alternative authentication mechanisms such as HTTP Basic Authentication with SSL/TLS encryption or more robust authentication methods like OAuth, SAML, or token-based authentication. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or attempts to exploit authentication vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with authentication bypass attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures that address both authentication mechanisms and their potential exploitation paths. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the web application stack.