Apache Tomcat: Incomplete Cleanup
CVE-2026-78437 is a high-severity incomplete cleanup 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: 11.0.19 through 11.0.25; 10.1.53 through 10.1.59; 9.0.116 through 9.0.121. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.51% 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 | 11.0.19 through 11.0.25; 10.1.53 through 10.1.59; 9.0.116 through 9.0.121 | 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
Incomplete cleanup vulnerability in Apache Tomcat allows a malformed request to potentially (depends on timing) cause one request from another user to fail. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.19 through 11.0.25, from 10.1.53 through 10.1.59, from 9.0.116 through 9.0.121. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.26, 10.1.60 or 9.0.122, which fix the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incomplete Cleanup
The product does not properly clean up and remove temporary or supporting resources after they have been used.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Temporary files and other supporting resources should be deleted/released immediately after they are no longer needed.
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 Incomplete Cleanup vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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