PatchTheCVECVE-2017-12615: Apache Tomcat on Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
98
Patch now
HIGH 8.1EXPLOITEDREMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2017-12615 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting tomcat, 7-mode transition tool, oncommand balance, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
When running Apache Tomcat 7.0.0 to 7.0.79 on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request. This JSP could then be requested and any code it contained would be executed by the server.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 8.1 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | High |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 99.7% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-04-15, used in ransomware |
| Weakness | CWE-434 |
| Published | 2017-09-19 |
| Last modified | 2026-08-06 |
Last updated 2026-08-06 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
apache tomcat UPGRADE
Affected: >= 7.0.0 and <= 7.0.79
Fixed in: newer than 7.0.79
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 newer than 7.0.79 (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.
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 balance 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-balance || rpm -q oncommand-balance || oncommand-balance --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.
redhat enterprise linux server update services for sap solutions DOWNGRADE
Affected: 7.4 · 7.6 · 7.7
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions || rpm -q enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions || enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions
sudo apt install enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.4>
sudo apt-mark hold enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions
sudo dnf downgrade enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.4>
sudo dnf versionlock add enterprise-linux-server-update-services-for-sap-solutions
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 jboss enterprise web server DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.0.0 · 3.0.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0
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 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison jboss-enterprise-web-server
sudo apt install jboss-enterprise-web-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0>
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_2.0.0>
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.
Exact fixes by distribution
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Maven · org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core · FIXED · 7.0.79 · vulnerable: >= 7.0.0, < 7.0.79 · source
Set org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to 7.0.79 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
RHEL 6 · tomcat6 · FIXED · tomcat6-6.0.24-111.el6_9
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2017:3080
rpm -q tomcat6
RHEL 7 · tomcat · FIXED · tomcat-7.0.76-3.el7_4
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2017:3081
rpm -q tomcat
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: lizhianyuguangming/TomcatScanPro (297 stars)
- GitHub PoC: tpt11fb/AttackTomcat (258 stars)
- GitHub PoC: breaktoprotect/CVE-2017-12615 (112 stars)
- Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42953/
- GitHub PoC: 1337g/CVE-2017-12615
- GitHub PoC: BeyondCy/CVE-2017-12615
- Exploit-DB: Apache Tomcat < 9.0.1 (Beta) / < 8.5.23 / < 8.0.47 / < 7.0.8 - JSP Upload Bypass / Remote Code Execution (1)
- Nuclei scan template: Apache Tomcat Servers - Remote Code Execution
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.
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-2017-12615?
tomcat: upgrade to newer than 7.0.79; 7-mode transition tool: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; oncommand balance: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2017-12615 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2017-12615 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2017-12615 affect?
CVE-2017-12615 affects tomcat, 7-mode transition tool, oncommand balance. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). When running Apache Tomcat 7.0.0 to 7.0.79 on Windows with HTTP PUTs enabled (e.g. via setting the readonly initialisation parameter of the Default to false) it was possible to upload a JSP file to the server via a specially crafted request
How urgent is CVE-2017-12615?
Priority 98/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Apache Tomcat vulnerabilities · Windows vulnerabilities · SAP vulnerabilities · JBoss and WildFly vulnerabilities
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