CVE-2014-0227: Improper Input Validation in Apache Tomcat
Summary
CVE-2014-0227: Improper Input Validation in Apache Tomcat. Affects org.apache.tomcat:tomcat across 3 version ranges.
>= 6.0.0, < 6.0.42
>= 7.0.0, < 7.0.55
>= 8.0.0, < 8.0.9
Fixed in 6.0.42, 7.0.55 or 8.0.9, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet container that is used to deploy Java-based web applications. It provides a robust and scalable platform for hosting web applications and is widely used in enterprise environments. This vulnerability affects versions 6.x, 7.x, and 8.x of Apache Tomcat. The vulnerable component is the ChunkedInputFilter, which is responsible for handling chunked transfer coding in HTTP requests. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to conduct HTTP request smuggling attacks or cause a denial of service by streaming data with malformed chunked transfer coding.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of attempts to continue reading data after an error has occurred in the ChunkedInputFilter component of Apache Tomcat. This can be exploited by an attacker to conduct HTTP request smuggling attacks, where they can bypass security measures and perform unauthorized actions on the server. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged to cause a denial of service by consuming excessive server resources. The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or disruption of service.
How To Fix
Fixed versions by release line
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 6.0.0, < 6.0.426.0.42 -
>= 7.0.0, < 7.0.557.0.55 -
>= 8.0.0, < 8.0.98.0.9
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to a fixed version is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to disable chunked transfer coding in the server configuration. This can be achieved by modifying the Tomcat configuration file and setting the 'chunkedTransferEncoding' attribute to 'false' in the HTTP connector configuration. However, this workaround may impact the functionality of certain applications that rely on chunked transfer coding.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Apache Tomcat can lead to serious security risks, including HTTP request smuggling attacks and denial of service. It is crucial to upgrade to a fixed version of Apache Tomcat (6.0.42, 7.0.55, or 8.0.9) to mitigate the risk. If immediate upgrading is not possible, disabling chunked transfer coding in the server configuration can serve as a temporary workaround. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Apache Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet container that is used to deploy Java-based web applications. It provides a robust and scalable platform for hosting web applications.
HTTP request smuggling is a technique where an attacker manipulates the HTTP requests to bypass security measures and perform unauthorized actions on the server.
A denial of service attack is an attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a network, system, or application by overwhelming it with a flood of illegitimate requests or excessive resource consumption.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply provide your pom.xml file, and Vulert will analyze it for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
If upgrading to a fixed version is not immediately feasible, you can disable chunked transfer coding in the server configuration as a temporary workaround. However, this may impact the functionality of certain applications.
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