CVE-2023-46589: Apache Tomcat Request Smuggling Vulnerability

A vulnerability, known as CVE-2023-46589, has emerged within the Apache Tomcat, a widely used Java web application server. This vulnerability, classified as ‘Important’, stems from improper input validation, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system.

The root cause of CVE-2023-46589 lies in the mishandling of HTTP trailer headers by Apache Tomcat versions 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, and 8.5.0 through 8.5.95. These versions fail to correctly parse HTTP trailer headers, leading to the possibility of request smuggling.

Request smuggling is a technique used by attackers to inject additional requests into a seemingly legitimate one. By crafting malformed HTTP requests, attackers can bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or compromise the system entirely.

This vulnerability poses a significant threat to organizations that rely on Apache Tomcat for their web applications. A successful attack could lead to:

• Data Breaches: Attackers could steal sensitive user information, such as passwords, financial data, or personal records.

• System Takeovers: Attackers could gain complete control over the affected system, disrupting operations and potentially causing financial losses.

• Denial-of-Service Attacks: Attackers could flood the system with requests, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.

To combat the threat posed by CVE-2023-46589, organizations should take immediate action to upgrade their Apache Tomcat installations to the latest versions:

• Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M11

• Apache Tomcat 10.1.16

• Apache Tomcat 9.0.83

• Apache Tomcat 8.5.96