CVE-2016-8735
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitApache Tomcat Improper Access Control vulnerability
Published May 13, 2022 · Updated Aug 25, 2026 · Also known as GHSA-cw54-59pw-4g8c, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-8735
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-8735 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Tomcat (Apache), 7-Mode Transition Tool (Netapp), Oncommand Insight (Netapp) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 12, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 90% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Tomcat 6.0.48, Tomcat 7.0.73, Tomcat 8.0.39.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
90%
Higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2016-8735 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 12, 2023 | Jun 2, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | May 12, 2023 | Jun 2, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | May 12, 2023 | Jun 2, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 12, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
264 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| TomcatApache | 9.0.0, 9.0.0-milestone1, 9.0.0-milestone10, 9.0.0-milestone11, 9.0.0-milestone2, 9.0.0-milestone3, 9.0.0-milestone4, 9.0.0-milestone5 | 6.0.48 |
| 7-Mode Transition ToolNetapp | See advisory | n/a |
| Oncommand InsightNetapp | See advisory | n/a |
| Oncommand ShiftNetapp | See advisory | n/a |
| Snap Creator FrameworkNetapp | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
Tomcat
6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, NA, 7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
apache-commons-dbcp
2.1.1-2.1
apache-commons-dbcp-javadoc
2.1.1-2.1
apache-commons-pool2
2.4.2-2.1
apache-commons-pool2-javadoc
2.4.2-2.1
tomcat-webapps
NA, 7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
hibernate4-eap6
0:4.2.23-1.Final_redhat_1.1.ep6.el6, 0:4.2.23-1.Final_redhat_1.1.ep6.el7
jbcs-httpd24
0:1-3.jbcs.el6, 0:1-3.jbcs.el7
jbcs-httpd24-apache-commons-daemon
0:1.0.15-1.redhat_2.1.jbcs.el6, 0:1.0.15-1.redhat_2.1.jbcs.el7
jbcs-httpd24-apache-commons-daemon-jsvc
1:1.0.15-17.redhat_2.jbcs.el6, 1:1.0.15-17.redhat_2.jbcs.el7
mod_cluster
0:1.3.5-2.Final_redhat_2.1.ep7.el6, 0:1.3.5-2.Final_redhat_2.1.ep7.el7
Mysql Enterprise Monitor
3.2.8.2223
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina
6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, 9.0.0.M12
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote
6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7, 9.0.0.M12
tomcat-admin-webapps
7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-docs-webapp
7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-el-2_2-api
7.0.78-7.13.4
tomcat-el-3_0-api
8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-embed
8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-javadoc
7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-jsp-2_2-api
7.0.78-7.13.4
tomcat-jsp-2_3-api
8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-jsvc
8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-lib
7.0.78-7.13.4, 8.0.32-10.13.2, 8.0.32-11.1, 8.0.36-17.1, 8.0.36-4.1
tomcat-native
0:1.2.8-9.redhat_9.ep7.el6, 0:1.2.8-9.redhat_9.ep7.el7
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 13, 2022
Added to CISA KEV
May 12, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 12, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
May 12, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 12, 2023
Last updated
Aug 25, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-284 Improper Access Control
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
- advisoryRHSA-2017:0457
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1002639
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1004728
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1007853
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1007854
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Tomcat (Apache) versions 9.0.0, 9.0.0-milestone1, 9.0.0-milestone10, 9.0.0-milestone11, 9.0.0-milestone2, 9.0.0-milestone3, 9.0.0-milestone4, 9.0.0-milestone5; 7-Mode Transition Tool (Netapp); Oncommand Insight (Netapp), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 12, 2023.
Yes. It was added on May 12, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 2, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Tomcat 6.0.48, Tomcat 7.0.73, Tomcat 8.0.39.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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