CVE-2019-0232
HighExploitedPublic exploittomcat: Remote Code Execution on Windows
Published Apr 21, 2021 · Updated Jul 8, 2026 · Also known as GHSA-8vmx-qmch-mpqg
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2019-0232 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.1 v3.1) affecting Tomcat (Apache), tomcat9 (debian), org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (maven) and 11 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Apr 12, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including apache-tomcat <=7.0.93, apache-tomcat NA, apache-tomcat-webapps NA.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.1
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2019-0232 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
When running on Windows with enableCmdLineArguments enabled, the CGI Servlet in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution due to a bug in the way the JRE passes command line arguments to Windows. The CGI Servlet is disabled by default. The CGI option enableCmdLineArguments is disable by default in Tomcat 9.0.x (and will be disabled by default in all versions in response to this vulnerability). For a detailed explanation of the JRE behaviour, see Markus Wulftange's blog (https://codewhitesec.blogspot.com/2016/02/java-and-command-line-injections-in-windows.html) and this archived MSDN blog (https://web.archive.org/web/20161228144344/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/twistylittlepassagesallalike/2011/04/23/everyone-quotes-command-line-arguments-the-wrong-way/).
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Apr 12, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
62 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| TomcatApache | 9.0.0-milestone1, 9.0.0-milestone10, 9.0.0-milestone11, 9.0.0-milestone12, 9.0.0-milestone13, 9.0.0-milestone14, 9.0.0-milestone15, 9.0.0-milestone16 | 7.0.93 |
| tomcat9debian | See advisory | 0 |
| org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-coremaven | >= 9.0.0.M1 | 9.0.17 |
| apache-tomcatphoton | See advisory | NA |
| apache-tomcat-webappsphoton | See advisory | NA |
Patched Releases
apache-tomcat
<=7.0.93, NA
apache-tomcat-webapps
NA
jws5-ecj
0:4.12.0-1.redhat_1.1.el6jws, 0:4.12.0-1.redhat_1.1.el7jws, 0:4.12.0-1.redhat_1.1.el8jws
jws5-javapackages-tools
0:3.4.1-5.15.11.el6jws, 0:3.4.1-5.15.11.el7jws, 0:3.4.1-5.15.11.el8jws
jws5-jboss-logging
0:3.3.2-1.Final_redhat_00001.1.el6jws, 0:3.3.2-1.Final_redhat_00001.1.el7jws, 0:3.3.2-1.Final_redhat_00001.1.el8jws
jws5-mod_cluster
0:1.4.1-1.Final_redhat_00001.2.el6jws, 0:1.4.1-1.Final_redhat_00001.2.el7jws, 0:1.4.1-1.Final_redhat_00001.2.el8jws
jws5-tomcat
0:9.0.21-10.redhat_4.1.el6jws, 0:9.0.21-10.redhat_4.1.el7jws, 0:9.0.21-10.redhat_4.1.el8jws
jws5-tomcat-native
0:1.2.21-34.redhat_34.el6jws, 0:1.2.21-34.redhat_34.el7jws, 0:1.2.21-34.redhat_34.el8jws
jws5-tomcat-vault
0:1.1.8-1.Final_redhat_1.1.el6jws, 0:1.1.8-1.Final_redhat_1.1.el7jws, 0:1.1.8-1.Final_redhat_1.1.el8jws
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
7.0.94, 8.5.40, 9.0.17
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Apr 12, 2021
Publicly disclosed
Apr 21, 2021
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
References
- advisoryRHSA-2019:3929
- advisoryhttps://codewhitesec.blogspot.com/2016/02/java-and-command-line-injections-in-windows.html
- advisoryGHSA advisory
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-0232
- advisoryhttps://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190419-0001/
FAQ
Common Questions.
When running on Windows with enableCmdLineArguments enabled, the CGI Servlet in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.17, 8.5.0 to 8.5.39 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.93 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution due to a bug in the way the JRE passes command line arguments to Windows.
Affected: Tomcat (Apache) versions 9.0.0-milestone1, 9.0.0-milestone10, 9.0.0-milestone11, 9.0.0-milestone12, 9.0.0-milestone13, 9.0.0-milestone14, 9.0.0-milestone15, 9.0.0-milestone16; tomcat9 (debian); org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (maven) versions >= 9.0.0.M1, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Apr 12, 2021.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including apache-tomcat <=7.0.93, apache-tomcat NA, apache-tomcat-webapps NA.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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