#VU18638 Cross-site scripting in Apache Tomcat - CVE-2019-0221

Vulnerability identifier: #VU18638

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-0221

CWE-ID: CWE-79

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Apache Tomcat
Server applications / Web servers

Vendor: Apache Foundation

Description

The disclosed vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within SSI printenv command, when parsing URI. A remote attacker can trick the victim to follow a specially crafted link and execute arbitrary HTML and script code in user's browser in context of vulnerable website.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to steal potentially sensitive information, change appearance of the web page, perform phishing and drive-by-download attacks.

Example:

http://[host]/printenv.shtml?%3Cscript%3Ealert(%27xss%27)%3C/script%3E

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Apache Tomcat: 7.0.0 - 7.0.91, 8.0.0 RC1 - 8.0.52, 8.5.0 - 8.5.38, 9.0.0-M1 - 9.0.16

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External links
https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/May/50
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6e6e9eacf7b28fd63d249711e9d3ccd4e0a83f556e324aee37be5a8c@%3Cannounce.tomcat.apache.org%3E
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-9.html#Fixed_in_Apache_Tomcat_9.0.19
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-8.html#Fixed_in_Apache_Tomcat_8.5.40
https://tomcat.apache.org/security-7.html#Fixed_in_Apache_Tomcat_7.0.94

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.