CVE-2009-3548
CVE-2009-3548 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 79% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-255.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 79% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-255
- Affected product: Apache Tomcat
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The Windows installer for Apache Tomcat 6.0.0 through 6.0.20, 5.5.0 through 5.5.28, and possibly earlier versions uses a blank default password for the administrative user, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2009-3548?
- The Windows installer for Apache Tomcat 6.0.0 through 6.0.20, 5.5.0 through 5.5.28, and possibly earlier versions uses a blank default password for the administrative user, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
- How severe is CVE-2009-3548?
- CVE-2009-3548 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2009-3548 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 79% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2009-3548?
- CVE-2009-3548 primarily affects Apache Tomcat. In total, 142 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2009-3548?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2009-3548 published?
- CVE-2009-3548 was published on 2009-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c02241113
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=133469267822771&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=139344343412337&w=2
- http://markmail.org/thread/wfu4nff5chvkb6xp
- http://secunia.com/advisories/40330
- http://secunia.com/advisories/57126
- http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html
- http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507720/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/516397/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36954
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1023146
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0003.html
- http://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere4/doc/vsp_vc41_u1_rel_notes.html
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3185
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1559
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54182
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/df497a37fbf98e38d4c83e44829745fe9851b5fde928409c950f80e6%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A19414
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7033
Affected products (142)
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2.2:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.3.1a:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:3.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.3:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.9:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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