Apache Tomcat up to 7.0.93/8.5.39/9.0.17 on Windows JRE Command Line Argument input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apache Tomcat up to 7.0.93/8.5.39/9.0.17 on Windows. Affected is an unknown function of the component JRE. Performing a manipulation as part of Command Line Argument results in input validation. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2019-0232. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. Moreover, an exploit is present.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Apache Tomcat up to 7.0.93/8.5.39/9.0.17 on Windows (Application Server Software). This affects an unknown functionality of the component JRE. The manipulation as part of a Command Line Argument leads to a input validation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

When running on Windows with enableCmdLineArguments enabled, the CGI Servlet in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution due to a bug in the way the JRE passes command line arguments to Windows. The CGI Servlet is disabled by default. The CGI option enableCmdLineArguments is disable by default in Tomcat 9.0.x (and will be disabled by default in all versions in response to this vulnerability). For a detailed explanation of the JRE behaviour, see Markus Wulftange's blog (https://codewhitesec.blogspot.com/2016/02/java-and-command-line-injections-in-windows.html) and this archived MSDN blog (https://web.archive.org/web/20161228144344/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/twistylittlepassagesallalike/2011/04/23/everyone-quotes-command-line-arguments-the-wrong-way/).

The bug was discovered 04/10/2019. The weakness was disclosed 04/15/2019 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at lists.apache.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2019-0232 since 11/14/2018. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

After 3 weeks, there has been an exploit disclosed. The exploit is shared for download at seclists.org. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 5 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 351573 (Amazon Linux Security Advisory for tomcat8: ALAS-2019-1208).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (47073) and SecurityFocus (BID 105524†). Further details are available at seclists.org. The entries VDB-124791, VDB-129727, VDB-133290 and VDB-137903 are pretty similar. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.5

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.1
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

10/03/2018 🔍
11/14/2018 +42 days 🔍
04/10/2019 +147 days 🔍
04/15/2019 +5 days 🔍
04/16/2019 +1 days 🔍
04/30/2019 +14 days 🔍
10/26/2025 +2371 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apache.org

Advisory: RHSA-2019:1712
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2019-0232 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2019-0232
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-133407
SecurityFocus: 105524 - Apache Tomcat CVE-2018-11784 Open Redirection Vulnerability

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/16/2019 10:28
Updated: 10/26/2025 05:02
Changes: 04/16/2019 10:28 (70), 06/07/2020 08:26 (4), 08/29/2023 09:49 (4), 10/26/2025 05:02 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

 misc (+0)
6 years ago
The exploit is available in Metasploit as well: "https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/windows/http/tomcat_cgi_cmdlineargs"

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