CVE-2016-6794: When a SecurityManager is configured, a web application's ability to read system properties should be controll

This month

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-6794 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting tomcat, debian linux, jboss enterprise web server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

When a SecurityManager is configured, a web application's ability to read system properties should be controlled by the SecurityManager. In Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M9, 8.5.0 to 8.5.4, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.36, 7.0.0 to 7.0.70, 6.0.0 to 6.0.45 the system property replacement feature for configuration files could be used by a malicious web application to bypass the SecurityManager and read system properties that should not be visible.

Why this priority

EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.2% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2017-08-10
Last modified	2026-10-15

Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache · debian · redhat

Last updated 2026-10-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-08-10 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-15 16:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache tomcat UPGRADE

Affected: >= 6.0.0 and <= 6.0.45 · >= 7.0.0 and <= 7.0.70 · >= 8.0 and <= 8.0.36 · >= 8.5.0 and <= 8.5.4 · 9.0.0 milestone1 · 9.0.0 milestone2 · 9.0.0 milestone3 · 9.0.0 milestone4

Fixed in: newer than 8.5.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tomcat || rpm -q tomcat || tomcat --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 8.5.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tomcat

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tomcat

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tomcat sudo apt install tomcat=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold tomcat

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tomcat sudo dnf downgrade tomcat-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add tomcat

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat jboss enterprise web server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jboss-enterprise-web-server || rpm -q jboss-enterprise-web-server || jboss-enterprise-web-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jboss-enterprise-web-server sudo apt install jboss-enterprise-web-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold jboss-enterprise-web-server

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list jboss-enterprise-web-server sudo dnf downgrade jboss-enterprise-web-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add jboss-enterprise-web-server

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux eus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.4 · 7.5 · 7.6 · 7.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-6794?

tomcat: upgrade to newer than 8.5.4; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; jboss enterprise web server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-6794 being exploited?

CVE-2016-6794 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-6794 affect?

CVE-2016-6794 affects tomcat, debian linux, jboss enterprise web server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). When a SecurityManager is configured, a web application's ability to read system properties should be controlled by the SecurityManager. In Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.0.M9, 8.5.0 to 8.5.4, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.36, 7.0.0 to 7.0.70, 6.0.0 to 6

How urgent is CVE-2016-6794?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Tomcat vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · JBoss and WildFly vulnerabilities

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References

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