CVE-2023-28708: Apache Tomcat: JSESSIONID Cookie missing secure attribute in some configurations

Published Mar 22, 2023
·
Updated

Apache Tomcat information disclosure CVE-2023-28708

When using the RemoteIpFilter with requests received from a reverse proxy via HTTP that include the X-Forwarded-Proto header set to https, session cookies created by Tomcat did not include the secure attribute. This could result in the user agent transmitting the session cookie over an insecure channel.

Affects: 8.5.0 to 8.5.85

https://tomcat.apache.org/security-8.html#FixedinApacheTomcat8.5.86 https://bz.apache.org/bugzilla/showbug.cgi?id=66471 https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/5b72c94e8b2c4ada63a1d91dc527bf4d8fd1f510

Other sources

When using the RemoteIpFilter with requests received from a reverse proxy via HTTP that include the X-Forwarded-Proto header set to https, session cookies created by Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.0.-M2, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.5, 9.0.0-M1 to 9.0.71 and 8.5.0 to 8.5.85 did not include the secure attribute. This could result in the user agent transmitting the session cookie over an insecure channel.

Older, EOL versions may also be affected.

— MITRE

Affected Software

10 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/tomcat<8.5.86
8.5.86
redhat/tomcat<9.0.72
9.0.72
redhat/tomcat<10.1.6
10.1.6
redhat/tomcat<11.0.0
11.0.0
Apache Tomcat>=8.5.0<8.5.86
Apache Tomcat>9.0.0<9.0.72
Apache Tomcat>10.1.0<10.1.6
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone1
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone2
IBM API Connect V12 OnPrem<=All

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.5.86
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.0.72
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.1.6
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.0.0
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache Tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.5.86
  6. Configuration

    Ensure the reverse proxy sets the X-Forwarded-Proto header to https when using RemoteIpFilter with Tomcat so session cookies are treated as secure (this issue affected RemoteIpFilter scenarios where X-Forwarded-Proto=https over HTTP requests led to missing the Secure attribute).

    Apache Tomcat RemoteIpFilter X-Forwarded-Proto = https

Event History

Mar 22, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:10 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:10 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 7, 2026
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the CVE ID of this vulnerability?

CVE-2023-28708

2

What is the severity of CVE-2023-28708?

The severity of CVE-2023-28708 is high with a score of 7.5.

3

How does this vulnerability occur?

This vulnerability occurs when using the RemoteIpFilter with requests received from a reverse proxy via HTTP that include the X-Forwarded-Proto header set to https.

4

Which versions of Apache Tomcat are affected by this vulnerability?

Apache Tomcat versions 8.5.0 to 8.5.85, 9.0.0-M1 to 9.0.71, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.5, and 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.0.-M2 are affected by this vulnerability.

5

How can I fix CVE-2023-28708?

To fix CVE-2023-28708, update Apache Tomcat to version 8.5.86, 9.0.72, 10.1.6, or 11.0.0 or later.

Company

Resources

Contact

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CVE-2023-28708 - Apache Tomcat: JSESSIONID Cookie missing secure attribute in some configurations - SecAlerts