# CVE-2009-3548: Hardcoded credentials in n/a

> Remote attackers can gain administrative privileges on Apache Tomcat Windows installations due to a blank default password for the admin user.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 12 Nov 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-975h-h4pp-737q

## What is CVE-2009-3548?

CVE-2009-3548 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 12 Nov 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Windows installer for Apache Tomcat 6.0.0 through 6.0.20, 5.5.0 through 5.5.28, and possibly earlier versions uses a blank default password for the administrative user, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.

Weakness: CWE-255

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-3548?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Tomcat.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-3548?

No fix has been published for CVE-2009-3548 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2009-3548 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-3548 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache Tomcat Manager Application Deployer Authenticated Code Execution (metasploit)
- Apache Tomcat Manager Authenticated Upload Code Execution (metasploit)
- Apache Tomcat Manager - Application Deployer (Authenticated) Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Apache Tomcat Manager - Application Upload (Authenticated) Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Tomcat Application Manager Login Utility (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat

- [CVE-2025-24813](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-24813/): Apache Tomcat Path Equivalence (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2016-8735](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8735/): Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-12617](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12617/): Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-12615](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12615/): Apache Tomcat on Windows Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-34486](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-34486/): Apache Tomcat Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data (high 7.5, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-3548 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-3548 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 12 Nov 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-3548 exists.

Affected product: Apache Tomcat. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3548/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3548/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-3548
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3548
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-3548

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3548/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.