GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg is a high-severity (CVSS 7.5) vulnerability in org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core. O3 Security confirms whether GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg is actually reachable in your code before you act, and blocks exploitation at runtime until you patch.
Apache Tomcat: Unbounded read in WebDAV LOCK and PROPFIND handling
Real-World Exposure
org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core☕org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core☕org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core☕org.apache.tomcat:tomcat☕org.apache.tomcat:tomcat☕org.apache.tomcat:tomcat☕org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina☕org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina+1 moreReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Maven packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Versions Affected: Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.21 Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.54 Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.117 Older, unsupported versions may also be affected
Description: No limit was enforced on the request body for WebDAV LOCK or PROPFIND requests which were available to unauthenticated users.
Mitigation: Users of the affected versions should apply one of the following mitigations:
- Upgrade to Apache Tomcat 11.0.22 or later
- Upgrade to Apache Tomcat 10.1.55 or later
- Upgrade to Apache Tomcat 9.0.118 or later
Credit: This issue was identified by Dariusz Gońda
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core | all versions | 9.0.118 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core | ≥ 10.1.0-M1&&< 10.1.55 | 10.1.55 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core | ≥ 11.0.0-M1&&< 11.0.22 | 11.0.22 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat:tomcat | all versions | 9.0.118 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat:tomcat | ≥ 10.1.0-M1&&< 10.1.55 | 10.1.55 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.tomcat:tomcat | ≥ 11.0.0-M1&&< 11.0.22 | 11.0.22 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to 9.0.118 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-gx5v-xp9w-j4cg across Maven dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.