Apache · Tomcat
CVE-2017-12617
Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
What it is
When running Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0, 8.5.0 to 8.5.22, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.46 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.81 with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default servlet to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.
CISA: When running Apache Tomcat, it is possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Deadline for US federal agencies: April 15, 2022
- Added to the CISA list
- March 25, 2022
- Published
- October 3, 2017
- Severity
- High 8.1 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- >99.9% in the top 0.1% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-434
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (20)
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3113
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3080
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0269
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0270
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0271
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2939
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0465
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3665-1/
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0268
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3114
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbux03828en_us
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42966/
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03812en_us
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/11/msg00009.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-3678067.html
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43008/
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039552
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100954
More exploited flaws from Apache
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 2026 | Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data | Tomcat | High 7.5 | 99% |
| Apr 1, 2025 | Path Equivalence | Tomcat | Critical 10.0 | 99.9% |
| May 12, 2023 | Remote Code Execution | Tomcat | Critical 9.8 | 90% |
| Mar 25, 2022 | on Windows Remote Code Execution | Tomcat | High 8.1 | 99.7% |
| Mar 3, 2022 | Improper Privilege Management | Tomcat | Critical 9.8 | 99.3% |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Command Injection | Struts | High 8.1 | 97% |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Improper Input Validation | ActiveMQ | High 8.8 | 98% |
| May 1, 2025 | Improper Escaping of Output | HTTP Server | Critical 9.1 | >99.9% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.