Apache Tomcat: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-75973 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Apache Tomcat from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Apache Tomcat versions: 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.25; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.59; 9.0.0.M4 through 9.0.121, 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 0.52% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Apache Tomcat you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Tomcat | 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.25; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.59; 9.0.0.M4 through 9.0.121; 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 | Not stated |
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Improper Authentication vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. When Jakarta Authentication was configured with SimpleAuthConfigProvider as the default provider and multiple web application used that provider, the realm for the first web application to authenticate a request would be used for all web applications. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.25, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.59, from 9.0.0.M4 through 9.0.121. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: from 8.5.0 through 8.5.100. Other unsupported versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.26, 10.1.60, 9.0.122, which fixes the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
References
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 Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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