Apache Tomcat is a web server used to execute Java servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSPs). It is widely used by web developers and organizations to host their websites and web applications. The server is an open-source software that can be downloaded and installed on any operating system.
Recently, Apache Tomcat has been found to have a vulnerability known as CVE-2019-0221. The flaw has been detected in versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93. The SSI printenv command, a debugging feature in Tomcat, is the cause of the vulnerability. The issue occurs because the printenv command fails to escape user-provided data before echoing it back to the user. Thus, it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
In the event that the vulnerability is exploited, it can lead to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. Such an attack can allow hackers to steal sensitive user data, such as login credentials and credit card information. Additionally, XSS can be used to launch further attacks on the victim's machine or network.
In conclusion, vulnerabilities in web servers such as Apache Tomcat can pose a significant risk to online security. But fortunately, websites and applications can be secured with the help of specialized tools like s4e.io. Users of this platform can receive real-time alerts about vulnerabilities in their digital assets, as well as expert advice on how to mitigate them. By using this service, organizations can ensure that their online presence remains secure and protected from cyber threats.
REFERENCES
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00090.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00054.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163457/Apache-Tomcat-9.0.0.M1-Cross-Site-Scripting.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/May/50
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108545
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3929
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3931
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6e6e9eacf7b28fd63d249711e9d3ccd4e0a83f556e324aee37be5a8c@%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/05/msg00044.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/08/msg00015.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/NPHQEL5AQ6LZSZD2Y6TYZ4RC3WI7NXJ3/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/ZQTZ5BJ5F4KV6N53SGNKSW3UY5DBIQ46/
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/43
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-43
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190606-0001/
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13184144?utm_source=f5support&utm_medium=RSS
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4128-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4128-2/
- https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4596
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
- https://wwws.nightwatchcybersecurity.com/2019/05/27/xss-in-ssi-printenv-command-apache-tomcat-cve-2019-0221/
To protect against this vulnerability, users of Apache Tomcat are advised to take the following precautions:
- Upgrade to a patched version of Tomcat (9.0.0.18, 8.5.40, or 7.0.94).
- Disable SSI if not required for the website or application.
- Filter user input by encoding special characters such as < and > before processing it.
- Apply strict Content Security Policies (CSPs) to prevent the execution of malicious scripts.
- Implement a web application firewall that can detect and block XSS attacks.
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