CVE Intelligence
CISA KEV Critical

CVE-2016-8735 — Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Remote code execution is possible with Apache Tomcat before 6.0.48, 7.x before 7.0.73, 8.x before 8.0.39, 8.5.x before 8.5.7, and 9.x before 9.0.0.M12 if JmxRemoteLifecycleListener is used and an attacker can reach JMX ports. The issue exists because this listener wasn't updated for consistency with the CVE-2016-3427 Oracle patch that affected credential types.

Published Apr 6, 2017 · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · Sources: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities, CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP, NIST National Vulnerability Database, GitHub Security Advisories · CNA: apache

Who exploits it and how urgent it is

A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.

CISA KEV · May 12, 2023
How the score was calculated
  • Confirmed exploitation (CISA KEV)+35
  • EPSS 90.3% (30-day exploitation probability)+15
  • Technical severity (critical)+10
  • Automatable exploitation (SSVC)+3

The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).

Triage

Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.

Exploitation
Confirmed
CISA KEV, listed May 12, 2023
EPSS FIRST
90.34%
ahead of 100% of scored CVEs · Oct 14, 2026
Affects
Apache Software Foundation
Tomcat and 20 more
CVSS base
9.8
Critical · 4 source(s)

CISA SSVC assessment CISA

Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.

Exploitation
Active
none · proof-of-concept · active
Automatable
Yes
can an attacker script the kill-chain steps
Technical impact
Total
partial · total control of the vulnerable component

Remediation

Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.

  • Documented mitigation — seclists.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — svn.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — svn.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — svn.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — svn.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — lists.apache.org (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina: fixed in version 6.0.48 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina: fixed in version 7.0.73 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina: fixed in version 8.0.39 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina: fixed in version 8.5.7 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina: fixed in version 9.0.0.M12 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote: fixed in version 6.0.48 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote: fixed in version 7.0.73 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote: fixed in version 8.0.39 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote: fixed in version 8.5.7 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
  • Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote: fixed in version 9.0.0.M12 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)

CISA required action CISA

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

US federal deadline: Jun 2, 2023 — passed 1231 day(s) ago

First 24 hours

Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.

  1. Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Apache Software Foundation Tomcat, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux…).
  2. Treat as emergency remediation: the CVE is in CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).
  3. The attack is network-based and needs no privileges: restrict exposure (ACLs, VPN, WAF) until patched.
  4. Apply the fixed version or the patch documented under Remediation.
  5. EPSS ahead of 100% of scored CVEs: prioritize it in the patch queue.
  6. Search available logs for exploit probes, errors and authentication anomalies.

Affected scope

Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.

VendorProductVersionsStatusSource
Apache Software Foundation Tomcat version 8.5.x before 8.5.7version 9.x before 9.0.0.M12version 8.x before 8.0.39version 7.x before 7.0.73version before 6.0.48 Vulnerable CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
Apache Software Foundation Tomcat version 9.0.0-milestone5version 9.0.0-milestone4version 9.0.0-milestone3version 9.0.0-milestone2version 9.0.0-milestone11version 9.0.0-milestone10version 9.0.0-milestone1version 9.0.0
and 8 more ≥ 8.5.0 and < 8.5.7≥ 8.0 and < 8.0.39≥ 7.0.0 and < 7.0.73< 6.0.48version 9.0.0-milestone6version 9.0.0-milestone7version 9.0.0-milestone8version 9.0.0-milestone9
Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Canonical Ubuntu Linux version 16.04 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Debian Debian Linux version 8.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Netapp 7-mode Transition Tool versions not specified by the source Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Netapp Oncommand Insight versions not specified by the source Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Netapp Oncommand Shift versions not specified by the source Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Netapp Snap Creator Framework versions not specified by the source Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Agile Engineering Data Management version 6.1.3version 6.2.0version 6.2.1.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management version 9.3.5version 9.3.6 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Communications Application Session Controller version 3.7.1version 3.8.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Communications Instant Messaging Server version 10.0.1 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Communications Interactive Session Recorder version 6.2version 6.0version 6.1 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Hospitality Guest Access version 4.2.1version 4.2.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Micros Relate Crm Software version 11.4version 10.8 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Micros Retail Xbri Loss Prevention version 10.5.0version 10.6.0version 10.0.1version 10.7.7version 10.8.0version 10.8.1 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Mysql Enterprise Monitor ≥ 3.4.0 and ≤ 3.4.2.4181≥ 3.3.0 and ≤ 3.3.4.3247≤ 3.2.8.2223 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Retail Convenience And Fuel Pos Software version 2.1.132 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Oracle Transportation Management version 6.3.5version 6.3.7version 6.3.6version 6.3.4version 6.3.3version 6.3.2version 6.3.1version 6.3.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Red Hat Jboss Enterprise Web Server version 3.0.0 Vulnerable NIST National Vulnerability Database
Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina ≥ 7.0.0 and < 7.0.73≥ 9.0.0.M1 and < 9.0.0.M12≥ 8.5.0 and < 8.5.7≥ 8.0.0 and < 8.0.39< 6.0.48 Vulnerable GitHub Security Advisories
Maven Org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote < 6.0.48≥ 7.0.0 and < 7.0.73≥ 8.0.0 and < 8.0.39≥ 8.5.0 and < 8.5.7≥ 9.0.0.M1 and < 9.0.0.M12 Vulnerable GitHub Security Advisories

Attack characteristics

The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Every base score collected

Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.

ScoreVersionSeverityExpl.ImpactScored by
9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical 3.9 5.9 nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database
9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical 3.9 5.9 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 via NIST National Vulnerability Database
9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical — — CISA-ADP via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
9.8 CVSS 3.0 Critical — — GitHub, Inc. via GitHub Security Advisories
7.5 CVSS 2.0 High 10.0 6.4 nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (score shown at the top: nvd@nist.gov)

CISA KEV details CISA

CISA lists a CVE once it has evidence of exploitation against real targets.

Listed
May 12, 2023
Federal deadline
Jun 2, 2023
passed 1231 day(s) ago
Ransomware use
Unknown

CISA records ransomware use only for campaigns it has confirmed, so “Unknown” means unrecorded, not ruled out. The deadline binds US federal agencies; for everyone else it is a reference date.

EPSS over time FIRST

Oct 12, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 3 reading(s) · max 90.34%

Detection

Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.

  • Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
  • Hunt retroactively in logs from before May 12, 2023 (KEV listing): exploitation may have started earlier.
web/proxy/WAF logsnetwork IDS/IPS

Timeline

What happened to this CVE, newest first.

  • 2026
  • Fix documented
    Oct 13, 2026 · GitHub Security Advisories
  • Affected products added · maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina, maven/org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote
    Oct 13, 2026 · GitHub Security Advisories
  • Fix documented
    Oct 13, 2026 · NIST National Vulnerability Database
  • Affected products added · apache/tomcat, canonical/ubuntu linux, netapp/7-mode transition tool, netapp/oncommand insight, netapp/oncommand shift,
    Oct 13, 2026 · NIST National Vulnerability Database
  • Source status changed · Published → Analyzed
    Oct 13, 2026 · NIST National Vulnerability Database
  • Record published
    Oct 13, 2026
  • Affected products added · apache software foundation/apache tomcat
    Oct 13, 2026 · CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
  • CVSS changed · 9.8
    Oct 13, 2026 · CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
  • Source status changed · → Published
    Oct 13, 2026 · CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
  • SSVC assessment updated
    Oct 13, 2026 · CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP
  • Added to CISA KEV (detected)
    Oct 13, 2026 · CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
  • Record created in this database
    Oct 13, 2026 · CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
  • 2023
  • Added to CISA KEV catalog
    May 11, 2023 · CISA
  • 2017
  • CVE published
    Apr 6, 2017 · apache

Source activity

Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.

  • 3× References added · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
  • 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026

References

62 on the record

Elsewhere on this site

Apache Software Foundation
every CVE for this vendor
2023-05
what else CISA listed that month

Related CVEs (same products)

  • CVE-2026-87266 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026
  • CVE-2026-87254 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026
  • CVE-2026-87258 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026
  • CVE-2026-87257 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026
  • CVE-2026-87256 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026
  • CVE-2026-87253 Improper Access Control in Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management Sep 15, 2026

Not in any source we poll

Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.

  • No CWE classification.
  • No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
  • No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
  • No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.

Answered from this record

Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.

What should defenders know first?

CVE-2016-8735 is "Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution Vulnerability", rated Critical. It affects Tomcat (Apache Software Foundation); versions are in the scope table. It is in CISA KEV: there is evidence of real-world exploitation. CVSS 9.8 describes technical severity. EPSS 90.34% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.

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