CVE-2019-0232: When running on Windows with enableCmdLineArguments enabled, the CGI Servlet in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.

This week

HIGH 8.1REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2019-0232 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting tomcat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 vu

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
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	99.9% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2019-04-15
Last modified	2026-11-02

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

Last updated 2026-11-02 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-04-15 15:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-11-02 18:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache tomcat UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.0.0 and <= 7.0.93 · >= 8.5.0 and <= 8.5.39 · >= 9.0.1 and <= 9.0.17 · 9.0.0 milestone1 · 9.0.0 milestone10 · 9.0.0 milestone11 · 9.0.0 milestone12 · 9.0.0 milestone13

Fixed in: newer than 9.0.17

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 9.0.17 (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.

Public exploits and detection

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

Exploit-DB: Apache Tomcat - CGIServlet enableCmdLineArguments Remote Code Execution (Metasploit)
Metasploit: Apache Tomcat CGIServlet enableCmdLineArguments Vulnerability
Nuclei scan template: Apache Tomcat `CGIServlet` enableCmdLineArguments - Remote Code Execution

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-2019-0232?

tomcat: upgrade to newer than 9.0.17. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-0232 being exploited?

CVE-2019-0232 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-2019-0232 affect?

CVE-2019-0232 affects tomcat. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). 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

How urgent is CVE-2019-0232?

Priority 68/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Tomcat vulnerabilities · Windows vulnerabilities

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References

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