# CVE-2023-34981: Apache Tomcat: AJP response header mix-up > An Apache Tomcat regression causes AJP proxies to leak response headers from previous requests, exposing sensitive information to attackers. - **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`) - **Exploited in the wild:** Not known - **Login needed:** Not needed - **Attackable:** Over the internet - **Victim action needed:** Not needed - **Fix available:** Yes - **Published:** 21 Jun 2023 - **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025 - **Also known as:** BIT-tomcat-2023-34981, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-34981, GHSA-mppv-79ch-vw6q, ROOT-APP-MAVEN-CVE-2023-34981 ## What is CVE-2023-34981? CVE-2023-34981 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 21 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. ### Official description A regression in the fix for bug 66512 in Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M5, 10.1.8, 9.0.74 and 8.5.88 meant that, if a response did not include any HTTP headers no AJP SEND_HEADERS messare woudl be sent for the response which in turn meant that at least one AJP proxy (mod_proxy_ajp) would use the response headers from the previous request leading to an information leak. Weakness: CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) ## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-34981? 9 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core, tomcat and org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote. It affects 1 product. | Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 10.1.8 | 10.1.9 | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 10.1.8 | 10.1.9 | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 11.0.0-M5 | 11.0.0-M6 | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 11.0.0-M5 | 11.0.0-M6 | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 9.0.74 | 9.0.75 | | `org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core` | Maven | From 9.0.74 | 9.0.75 | | `tomcat` | Bitnami | From 8.5.88 | 8.5.89, 9.0.75, 10.1.9 | | `org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote` | Maven | From 8.5.88 | 8.5.89 | | `org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote` | Maven | From 8.5.88 | 8.5.89 | Products: Apache Tomcat. ## How do I fix CVE-2023-34981? Upgrade org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to a fixed version for your release line: 10.1.9, 11.0.0-M6 or 9.0.75. ## Is CVE-2023-34981 being exploited? There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-34981 in the wild and no public exploit code. ## 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-2023-34981 and fix it if it is affected. What it is: CVE-2023-34981 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 21 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-34981 in the wild and no public exploit code. Affected packages and fixed versions: - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 10.1.8; fixed in 10.1.9 - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 10.1.8; fixed in 10.1.9 - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 11.0.0-M5; fixed in 11.0.0-M6 - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 11.0.0-M5; fixed in 11.0.0-M6 - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 9.0.74; fixed in 9.0.75 - org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): affected from 9.0.74; fixed in 9.0.75 - tomcat (Bitnami): affected from 8.5.88; fixed in 8.5.89, 9.0.75, 10.1.9 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven): affected from 8.5.88; fixed in 8.5.89 - org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven): affected from 8.5.88; fixed in 8.5.89 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-2023-34981/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34981/index.md) ``` ## Sources - CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-34981 - NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34981 - OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-34981 --- From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34981/ Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.