CVE-2023-46589: Apache Tomcat: HTTP request smuggling via malformed trailer headers

Published Nov 28, 2023
·
Updated

Affected versions:

- Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10 - Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15 - Apache Tomcat 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82 - Apache Tomcat 8.5.0 through 8.5.95

Description:

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat.Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82 and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.

Credit:

Norihito Aimoto (OSSTech Corporation) (finder)

References:

https://lists.apache.org/thread/0rqq6ktozqc42ro8hhxdmmdjm1k1tpxr http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/28/2

Other sources

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.

GitHub

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat.Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82 and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy.

Older, EOL versions may also be affected.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.

MITRE

Affected Software

25 affected componentsFixes available
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core>=8.5.0<8.5.96
8.5.96
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core>=9.0.0-M1<9.0.83
9.0.83
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core>=10.1.0-M1<10.1.16
10.1.16
maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core>=11.0.0-M1<11.0.0-M11
11.0.0-M11
maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina>=8.5.0<8.5.96
8.5.96
maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina>=9.0.0-M1<9.0.83
9.0.83
maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina>=10.1.0-M1<10.1.16
10.1.16
maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina>=11.0.0-M1<11.0.0-M11
11.0.0-M11
debian/tomcat10
10.1.6-1+deb12u210.1.30-1
debian/tomcat9
9.0.43-2~deb11u109.0.70-2
Apache Tomcat>=8.5.0<8.5.96
Apache Tomcat>=9.0.0<9.0.83
Apache Tomcat>=10.1.0<10.1.16
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone1
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone10
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone2
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone3
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone4
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone5
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone6
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone7
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone8
Apache Tomcat=11.0.0-milestone9
redhat/tomcat<9.0.83
9.0.83
IBM API Connect V12 OnPrem<=All

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.5.96
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.0.83
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.1.16
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.0.0-M11
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.5.96
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.0.83
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.1.16
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.0.0-M11
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/tomcat10 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.1.6-1+deb12u2Fixed in 10.1.30-1
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/tomcat9 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.0.43-2~deb11u10Fixed in 9.0.70-2
  11. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 9.0.83
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache Tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.0.0-M11 onwards
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache Tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.1.16 onwards
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache Tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.0.83 onwards
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache Tomcat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.5.96 onwards

Event History

Nov 28, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:31 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:31 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Advisory Published
via GitHub·06:30 PM
Nov 29, 2023
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·08:23 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 25, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·03:05 PM
Description
Sep 29, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·03:05 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jul 7, 2026
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-46589?

CVE-2023-46589 is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat that allows for HTTP request smuggling via malformed trailer headers.

2

How does CVE-2023-46589 affect Apache Tomcat?

CVE-2023-46589 affects Apache Tomcat versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.95, 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, and 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10.

3

What is the remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 8.5.96?

The remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 8.5.96 is to update to that specific version or a later version.

4

What is the remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 9.0.83?

The remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 9.0.83 is to update to that specific version or a later version.

5

What is the remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 10.1.16?

The remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 10.1.16 is to update to that specific version or a later version.

6

What is the remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 11.0.0-M11?

The remedy for CVE-2023-46589 in Apache Tomcat version 11.0.0-M11 is to update to that specific version or a later version.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203