CVE-2018-11784 — Apache Tomcat Open Redirect vulnerability
When the default servlet in Apache Tomcat versions 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.11, 8.5.0 to 8.5.33 and 7.0.23 to 7.0.90 returned a redirect to a directory (e.g. redirecting to '/foo/' when the user requested '/foo') a specially crafted URL could be used to cause the redirect to be generated to any URI of the attackers choice.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- Public exploit/PoC (nuclei, exploitdb)+12
- EPSS 97.7% (30-day exploitation probability)+15
- Technical severity (medium)+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.
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.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
- Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 8.5.34 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 7.0.91 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 9.0.12 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
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.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Apache Software Foundation Tomcat, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux…).
- The attack is network-based and needs no privileges: restrict exposure (ACLs, VPN, WAF) until patched.
- Apply the fixed version or the patch documented under Remediation.
- Exploitation requires user interaction: tighten email/web filtering and warn affected users.
- EPSS ahead of 100% of scored CVEs: prioritize it in the patch queue.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (open redirect), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Tomcat |
version 9.0.0-milestone21version 9.0.0-milestone14version 9.0.0-milestone15version 9.0.0-milestone16version 9.0.0-milestone17version 9.0.0-milestone18version 9.0.0-milestone19version 9.0.0-milestone2 and 23 moreversion 9.0.0-milestone20version 9.0.0-milestone13version 9.0.0-milestone22version 9.0.0-milestone23version 9.0.0-milestone24version 9.0.0-milestone25version 9.0.0-milestone26version 9.0.0-milestone27version 9.0.0-milestone3version 9.0.0-milestone4≥ 7.0.23 and ≤ 7.0.90version 9.0.0-milestone9version 9.0.0-milestone8version 9.0.0-milestone7version 9.0.0-milestone6version 9.0.0-milestone5≥ 8.5.0 and ≤ 8.5.33≥ 9.0.1 and ≤ 9.0.11version 9.0.0version 9.0.0-milestone1version 9.0.0-milestone10version 9.0.0-milestone11version 9.0.0-milestone12 |
Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Apache Software Foundation | Tomcat | version 7.0.23 to 7.0.90version 8.5.0 to 8.5.33version 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.11 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
| Canonical | Ubuntu Linux | version 14.04version 16.04 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Debian | Debian Linux | version 8.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Netapp | Snap Creator Framework | versions not specified by the source | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Communications Application Session Controller | version 3.8.0version 3.7.1 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Hospitality Guest Access | version 4.2.0version 4.2.1 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Instantis Enterprisetrack | version 17.1version 17.2version 17.3 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Retail Order Broker | version 5.1version 5.2version 15.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Secure Global Desktop | version 5.4 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Desktop | version 7.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Server | version 7.0version 7.6 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Server Aus | version 7.6 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Server Eus | version 7.6 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Server Tus | version 7.6 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux Workstation | version 7.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Maven | Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core | ≥ 8.5.0 and < 8.5.34≥ 7.0.23 and < 7.0.91≥ 9.0.0 and < 9.0.12 | Vulnerable | GitHub Security Advisories |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | 2.8 | 1.4 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 4.3 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | — | — | GitHub, Inc. via GitHub Security Advisories |
| 4.3 | CVSS 2.0 | Medium | 8.6 | 2.9 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N (score shown at the top: nvd@nist.gov) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
Public exploits, PoCs and detection templates
Public code that demonstrates or tests the flaw raises the odds of mass exploitation — and Nuclei templates help find vulnerable assets in your environment.
- Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 - Open Redirect Jul 13, 2021
Warning: public PoCs are sometimes disguised malware. Use them only for authorized testing in an isolated environment. This portal does not host exploit code — it only points to the sources.
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).
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Fix documented
- Affected products added · maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
- Affected products added · apache software foundation/apache tomcat
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- Fix documented
- Affected products added · apache/tomcat, debian/debian linux, canonical/ubuntu linux, netapp/snap creator framework, redhat/enterprise linux deskt
- CVSS changed · 4.3
- Source status changed · → Modified
- Record created in this database
- 2018
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 2× References added · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
References
66 on the record
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.html
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.html
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
- usn.ubuntu.com/3787-1/
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/b76e1dfb3dec3789cc700f8d022c872eb947a221
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/163456/Apache-Tomcat-9.0.0M1-Open-Redirect.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BZ4PX4
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc@
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/efb860b3ff8ebcf606199b8d0d432f76898040da
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20181014-0002
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04%
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BZ4P
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BZ4P
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.html
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:1529
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2019-5072832.html
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11784
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb%
- www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4596
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/e85e83e9954f169bbb77b44baae5a33d8de878df557bb32b7f793661%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/23134c9b5a23892a205dc140cdd8c9c0add233600f76b313dda6bd75@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/e85e83e9954f169bbb77b44baae5a33d8de878df557bb32b7f793661@
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/f9f147359b7c95511b64cd99bbc47917c01b3879
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/1dd0a59c1295cc08ce4c9e7edae5ad2268acc9ba55adcefa0532e5ba%
- usn.ubuntu.com/3787-1
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551@
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:0485
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424@
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/10/msg00006.html
- web.archive.org/web/20200227030058/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105524
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00056.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a%
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/105524
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/1dd0a59c1295cc08ce4c9e7edae5ad2268acc9ba55adcefa0532e5ba@
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:0130
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/10/msg00005.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d
- kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/23134c9b5a23892a205dc140cdd8c9c0add233600f76b313dda6bd75%
- seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/43
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708%
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00030.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20181014-0002/
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:0131
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-5q99-f34m-67gc
Elsewhere on this site
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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 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-2018-11784 is "Apache Tomcat Open Redirect vulnerability", rated Medium. It affects Tomcat (Apache Software Foundation); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 4.3 describes technical severity. EPSS 97.68% 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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