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

97
Patch now
CRITICAL 9.8EXPLOITEDREMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-8735 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting tomcat, ubuntu linux, 7-mode transition tool, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

  • Critical severity
  • EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
  • Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
  • CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
  • Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score9.8 (Critical)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance90.3% (top 1%)
CISA exploited listYes, fix due 2023-06-02
Published2017-04-06
Last modified2026-08-25
Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache · canonical · netapp

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Last updated 2026-08-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

apache tomcat UPGRADE
Affected: < 6.0.48 · >= 7.0.0 and < 7.0.73 · >= 8.0 and < 8.0.39 · >= 8.5.0 and < 8.5.7 · 9.0.0 · 9.0.0 milestone1 · 9.0.0 milestone10 · 9.0.0 milestone11
Fixed in: 6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy tomcat || rpm -q tomcat || tomcat --version
2. UPGRADE to 6.0.48 (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 7.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison tomcat sudo apt install tomcat=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> 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_7.0.0> 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.
canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE
Affected: 16.04
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 16.04
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.
netapp 7-mode transition tool MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy 7-mode-transition-tool || rpm -q 7-mode-transition-tool || 7-mode-transition-tool --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
netapp oncommand insight MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy oncommand-insight || rpm -q oncommand-insight || oncommand-insight --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
netapp oncommand shift MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy oncommand-shift || rpm -q oncommand-shift || oncommand-shift --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
netapp snap creator framework MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy snap-creator-framework || rpm -q snap-creator-framework || snap-creator-framework --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Maven · org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina · FIXED · 6.0.48 · vulnerable: < 6.0.48 · source
Set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to 6.0.48 or later in pom.xml or build.gradle, then rebuild and redeploy.
Maven · org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote · FIXED · 6.0.48 · vulnerable: < 6.0.48 · source
Set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina-jmx-remote to 6.0.48 or later in pom.xml or build.gradle, then rebuild and redeploy.
Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400
Debian 12 · tomcat9 · NOT AFFECTED
Debian 13 · tomcat9 · NOT AFFECTED
RHEL 5 · tomcat5 · NOT AFFECTED
RHEL 6 · tomcat6 · NOT AFFECTED
RHEL 7 · tomcat · NOT AFFECTED
Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2016-778 · source
sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2016-778

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · 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-2016-8735?

tomcat: upgrade to 6.0.48, 7.0.73, 8.0.39, 8.5.7; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; 7-mode transition tool: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-8735 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-8735 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2016-8735 affect?

CVE-2016-8735 affects tomcat, ubuntu linux, 7-mode transition tool. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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 exis

How urgent is CVE-2016-8735?

Priority 97/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Tomcat vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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