CVE-2025-48988: Tomcat High Severity Vulnerability

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Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2025-48988, affecting tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar. This is a critical issue that needs your immediate attention, especially if you're using Apache Tomcat in your projects. Let's break down what this vulnerability is all about, why it matters, and how you can protect your applications.

Understanding CVE-2025-48988

The CVE-2025-48988 vulnerability is a big deal because it involves the unrestricted allocation of resources in Apache Tomcat. Essentially, this means that an attacker could potentially overwhelm your server by exploiting this flaw, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Imagine someone flooding your website with so many requests that it becomes unresponsive – that's the kind of scenario we're talking about. This high severity vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Apache Tomcat ranging from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.7, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.41, and 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.105. It's also worth noting that older, end-of-life (EOL) versions might be affected, making it even more crucial to address this issue.

Vulnerable Library: tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar

The heart of the problem lies within the tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar library. This library is a core component of Tomcat, responsible for handling many essential functions. The vulnerable library, part of the core Tomcat implementation, is where the flaw resides, making it a prime target for exploitation. If you're using this version, your application is potentially at risk. The library's primary function is to provide the core functionalities for embedding Tomcat within applications, and this vulnerability jeopardizes that foundational role. Ensuring the security of this component is paramount to the overall stability and availability of your web applications. You can find more details about Tomcat on the official Apache Tomcat website (https://tomcat.apache.org/).

Impact and Risk

The impact of CVE-2025-48988 is significant. An attacker exploiting this high severity vulnerability could cause your application to become unavailable, leading to potential financial losses, reputational damage, and user frustration. In the CVSS 3 scoring system, this vulnerability has a score of 7.5, which further underscores its severity. The high availability impact means that your system's uptime is at serious risk. The unrestricted resource allocation can lead to memory exhaustion or CPU overload, effectively bringing your server to its knees. This is not just a theoretical risk; it's a practical threat that needs to be addressed proactively. Keeping your systems secure is crucial for maintaining user trust and preventing service disruptions.

Technical Details and CVSS 3 Score

Let's get into the nitty-gritty. The CVSS 3 score for CVE-2025-48988 is 7.5, categorizing it as a high-severity vulnerability. Here’s a breakdown of the key metrics:

  • Attack Vector: Network – This means the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over a network.
  • Attack Complexity: Low – It's relatively easy to exploit, requiring minimal attacker effort.
  • Privileges Required: None – No special privileges are needed to carry out an attack.
  • User Interaction: None – The attack can be carried out without any user interaction.
  • Scope: Unchanged – The vulnerability's impact is limited to the affected component.
  • Confidentiality Impact: None – There's no risk of data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Integrity Impact: None – The vulnerability doesn't allow for data manipulation or modification.
  • Availability Impact: High – The primary risk is a denial-of-service, making the system unavailable.

For more details on CVSS3 scores, you can check out the FIRST website: https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0. Understanding these metrics helps to paint a clearer picture of the potential risks and how to prioritize remediation efforts.

Identifying the Vulnerability

So, how do you know if you're affected? The first step is to check if you're using a vulnerable library, specifically tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar. This library often comes bundled with Spring Boot applications, so if you're using Spring Boot, you'll want to pay close attention. Look at your project's dependencies and check for the presence of this JAR file. The information provided indicates that this vulnerability was found in the HEAD commit d5b6120fb5f7aa8e29cf7e6aad324d1fbbcecac4 and the base branch main of the repository SAST-UP-STG/SAST-Test-Repo-3667a972-a01f-4a2a-be5b-dc11175ab60f. This means the vulnerability is present in the current state of the code and needs to be addressed. If you're using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle, you can easily check your dependencies and identify any vulnerable libraries. Tools like Snyk, OWASP Dependency-Check, and WhiteSource can also help you scan your projects for vulnerabilities. Identifying the high severity vulnerability early is key to mitigating risk and preventing potential attacks.

Dependency Hierarchy

To further illustrate how this vulnerability might be present in your project, let's look at the dependency hierarchy:

  • spring-boot-starter-web-3.2.5.jar (Root Library)
    • spring-boot-starter-tomcat-3.2.5.jar
      • :x: tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar (Vulnerable Library)

As you can see, tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar is a transitive dependency of spring-boot-starter-web. This means that if you include spring-boot-starter-web in your project, you're also pulling in the vulnerable library. Understanding this hierarchy helps you trace the vulnerability's origin and ensures you address it correctly.

Remediation: How to Fix CVE-2025-48988

Now, let's talk about the most important part: fixing this vulnerability. The recommended solution is to upgrade to a patched version of Apache Tomcat. Specifically, you should upgrade to version 11.0.8, 10.1.42, or 9.0.106, which contain the fix for this issue. Upgrading Tomcat is crucial for securing your application and preventing potential exploits of this high severity vulnerability. This is a standard practice in vulnerability management, and it's the most effective way to ensure your systems are protected. Not only do these upgrades address the unrestricted resource allocation issue, but they often include other security enhancements and bug fixes that can improve the overall stability and performance of your application.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide

  1. Identify Your Tomcat Version: First, determine the version of Tomcat you're currently using. This information is usually available in your application's configuration files or server logs.
  2. Check for Compatibility: Before upgrading, ensure that the new Tomcat version is compatible with your application and its dependencies. Review the release notes and any migration guides provided by Apache Tomcat.
  3. Update Dependencies: If you're using a dependency management tool like Maven or Gradle, update your project's dependencies to use the patched Tomcat version. For example, in Maven, you would update the <version> tag for the tomcat-embed-core dependency.
  4. Test Thoroughly: After upgrading, thoroughly test your application to ensure that everything is working as expected. Pay particular attention to areas that might be affected by the changes in Tomcat.
  5. Monitor Your Application: Keep an eye on your application's performance and stability after the upgrade. Monitor server resources and logs for any signs of issues.

Additional Mitigation Strategies

While upgrading Tomcat is the primary solution, there are also some additional steps you can take to mitigate the risk:

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF to help protect your application from attacks. A WAF can detect and block malicious traffic, including attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
  • Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting to restrict the number of requests a client can make in a given time period. This can help prevent an attacker from overwhelming your server.
  • Resource Monitoring: Monitor your server's resources (CPU, memory, etc.) to detect any unusual activity. This can help you identify and respond to attacks more quickly.

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant and Update

In conclusion, the CVE-2025-48988 vulnerability in tomcat-embed-core-10.1.20.jar is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. By understanding the technical details, identifying affected systems, and following the remediation steps outlined above, you can protect your applications from potential attacks. Remember, security is an ongoing process, and staying vigilant is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. So, guys, upgrade your Tomcat versions, implement the necessary mitigation strategies, and keep your applications safe and sound! Keeping your systems secure is not just a one-time task; it's a continuous effort that requires ongoing monitoring, patching, and proactive security measures.