Apache Tomcat 5.5.35/6.0.35/7.0.28 HTTP Digest Authentication Implementation improper authentication

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Apache Tomcat 5.5.35/6.0.35/7.0.28. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component HTTP Digest Authentication Implementation. This manipulation causes improper authentication. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2012-5887. Moreover, an exploit is present. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Apache Tomcat 5.5.35/6.0.35/7.0.28 (Application Server Software) and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code of the component HTTP Digest Authentication Implementation. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, and integrity. The summary by CVE is:

The HTTP Digest Access Authentication implementation in Apache Tomcat 5.5.x before 5.5.36, 6.x before 6.0.36, and 7.x before 7.0.30 does not properly check for stale nonce values in conjunction with enforcement of proper credentials, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by sniffing the network for valid requests.

The weakness was disclosed 08/27/2012 with Tomcat Security Team as 1377807 as confirmed changelog entry (Website). The advisory is shared at svn.apache.org. The public release has been coordinated in cooperation with Apache. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2012-5887 since 11/17/2012. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 66665 (Scientific Linux Security Update : tomcat6 on SL6.x (noarch)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Scientific Linux Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86492 (Apache Tomcat Multiple Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30, eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at tomcat.apache.org.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (79809), Tenable (66665), SecurityFocus (BID 56403†), OSVDB (87579†) and Secunia (SA51371†). The entries VDB-6998, VDB-62933 and VDB-62929 are pretty similar. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.1

VulDB Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Temp Score: 7.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Improper authentication
CWE: CWE-287
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 66665
Nessus Name: Scientific Linux Security Update : tomcat6 on SL6.x (noarch)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 892725
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 2725-1 (tomcat6 - several vulnerabilities
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Tomcat 5.5.36, 6.0.36, 7.0.30,

Timelineinfo

08/27/2012 🔍
11/06/2012 +71 days 🔍
11/17/2012 +11 days 🔍
11/17/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/17/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/20/2012 +3 days 🔍
11/22/2012 +2 days 🔍
11/26/2012 +4 days 🔍
11/28/2012 +2 days 🔍
05/29/2013 +182 days 🔍
10/30/2025 +4537 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apache.org

Advisory: 1377807
Organization: Tomcat Security Team
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
Coordinated: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2012-5887 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2012-5887
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-6997

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

X-Force: 79809 - Apache Tomcat DIGEST security bypass, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 56403 - Apache Tomcat DIGEST Authentication Multiple Security Weaknesses
Secunia: 51371 - Ubuntu update for tomcat6, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 87579
Vulnerability Center: 37446 - Apache Tomcat Remote Security Bypass due to HTTP Digest Improperly Checking for Stale Nonce Values, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 11/26/2012 10:43
Updated: 10/30/2025 16:30
Changes: 11/26/2012 10:43 (90), 04/22/2017 09:08 (4), 04/19/2021 14:02 (3), 10/30/2025 16:30 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Committer:
Cache ID: 216:108:103

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