Apache Tomcat: Relative Path Traversal
CVE-2025-55752 is a high-severity relative path traversal vulnerability in Apache Tomcat from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Apache Tomcat versions: 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44; 9.0.0.M11 through 9.0.108, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 64.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.75% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update SIMATIC CN 4100 to V5.0 or a later version.
- Update Tomcat to 9.0.109 or 10.0.27 or 10.1.45 or 11.0.11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on lists.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Tomcat | 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44; 9.0.0.M11 through 9.0.108; 8.5.6 through 8.5.100 | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC CN 4100 | before V5.0 | V5.0 |
| Apache | Tomcat | 8.5.6 through 8.5.100; 9.0.1 up to, but not including, 9.0.109; 10.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.27; 10.1.0 up to, but not including, 10.1.45; 11.0.0 up to, but not including, 11.0.11; 9.0.0 | 9.0.109, 10.0.27, 10.1.45, 11.0.11 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. The fix for bug 60013 introduced a regression where the rewritten URL was normalized before it was decoded. This introduced the possibility that, for rewrite rules that rewrite query parameters to the URL, an attacker could manipulate the request URI to bypass security constraints including the protection for /WEB-INF/ and /META-INF/. If PUT requests were also enabled then malicious files could be uploaded leading to remote code execution. PUT requests are normally limited to trusted users and it is considered unlikely that PUT requests would be enabled in conjunction with a rewrite that manipulated the URI. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, from 9.0.0.M11 through 9.0.108. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: 8.5.6 though 8.5.100. Other, older, EOL versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later or 9.0.109 or later, which fix the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Relative Path Traversal
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize sequences such as.. that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- lists.apache.org/thread/n05kjcwyj1s45ovs8ll1qrrojhfb1togIssue Tracking
Patches and release notes
- vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-55752-mitigate-apache-tomcat-vulnerabilityMitigation, Third Party Advisory
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/10/27/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-55752-detect-apache-tomcat-vulnerabilityExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Relative Path Traversal vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
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