CVE-2023-41081 Apache Tomcat Connectors: Unexpected use of first declared worker in mod_jk for unmapped request
Attackers can bypass security constraints or expose status workers via implicit mapping in mod_jk when specific configurations are used.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-41081?
CVE-2023-41081 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Tomcat Connectors, published on 13 Sep 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official 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
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-41081?
It affects 1 product.
Linux distribution packages (2)
apache2-mod_jk SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 | All versions | 1.2.49-7.9.1 |
apache2-mod_jk SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP5 | All versions | 1.2.49-7.9.1 |
Products include Apache Tomcat Connectors.
How do I fix CVE-2023-41081?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2023-41081 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-41081 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat Connectors
Sources
Also known as CLSA-2025-1763032400, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-41081, DLA-3580-1, GHSA-4wvr-fq5p-2362, MGASA-2024-0130, SUSE-SU-2024:1198-1 and 3 more.