CVE-2025-55754: CWE-150 Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences in Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat
Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat did not escape ANSI escape sequences in log messages. If Tomcat was running in a console on a Windows operating system, and the console supported ANSI escape sequences, it was possible for an attacker to use a specially crafted URL to inject ANSI escape sequences to manipulate the console and the clipboard and attempt to trick an administrator into running an attacker controlled command. While no attack vector was found, it may have been possible to mount this attack on other operating systems. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, from 9.0.40 through 9.0.108. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: 8.5.60 though 8.5.100. Other, older, EOL versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later or 9.0.109 or later, which fix the issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, and 9.0.40 through 9.0.108 contain a vulnerability where ANSI escape sequences in log messages are not properly escaped. When Tomcat runs in a Windows console that supports ANSI sequences, an attacker can craft URLs that inject these sequences to manipulate the console display and clipboard. This could potentially deceive administrators into running malicious commands. The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-150 (Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences). Although no attack vector has been confirmed, the issue might affect other operating systems. Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Tomcat 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later, or 9.0.109 or later where the issue is fixed.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to manipulate the console output and clipboard of administrators running Tomcat in a Windows console environment, potentially tricking them into executing attacker-controlled commands. This could lead to complete compromise of the affected system. The CVSS score of 9.6 reflects critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits have been observed in the wild to date.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available. Users should upgrade affected Apache Tomcat versions to 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later, or 9.0.109 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No alternative mitigations are indicated. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory recommending these versions.
CVE-2025-55754: CWE-150 Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences in Apache Software Foundation Apache Tomcat
Description
Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat did not escape ANSI escape sequences in log messages. If Tomcat was running in a console on a Windows operating system, and the console supported ANSI escape sequences, it was possible for an attacker to use a specially crafted URL to inject ANSI escape sequences to manipulate the console and the clipboard and attempt to trick an administrator into running an attacker controlled command. While no attack vector was found, it may have been possible to mount this attack on other operating systems. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, from 9.0.40 through 9.0.108. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: 8.5.60 though 8.5.100. Other, older, EOL versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later or 9.0.109 or later, which fix the issue.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.6critical
Affected software
pkg:maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcatRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, and 9.0.40 through 9.0.108 contain a vulnerability where ANSI escape sequences in log messages are not properly escaped. When Tomcat runs in a Windows console that supports ANSI sequences, an attacker can craft URLs that inject these sequences to manipulate the console display and clipboard. This could potentially deceive administrators into running malicious commands. The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-150 (Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences). Although no attack vector has been confirmed, the issue might affect other operating systems. Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Tomcat 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later, or 9.0.109 or later where the issue is fixed.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to manipulate the console output and clipboard of administrators running Tomcat in a Windows console environment, potentially tricking them into executing attacker-controlled commands. This could lead to complete compromise of the affected system. The CVSS score of 9.6 reflects critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits have been observed in the wild to date.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available. Users should upgrade affected Apache Tomcat versions to 11.0.11 or later, 10.1.45 or later, or 9.0.109 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No alternative mitigations are indicated. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory recommending these versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2025-08-15T11:26:40.520Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68ffadeaba6dffc5e2050674
Added to database: 10/27/2025, 17:37:46 UTC
Last enriched: 05/13/2026, 02:35:42 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:51 UTC
Views: 1335
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