KPMG-2002025: Apache Tomcat Denial of Service

[Peter Gründl <pgrundl () kpmg dk>]

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Title: Apache Tomcat Denial of Service

BUG-ID: 2002025
Released: 20th Jun 2002
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Problem:
========
A malicious user could tie up all 75 working threads and cause a
Denial of Service situation.


Vulnerable:
===========
- Apache Tomcat 4.0.3 on Windows 2000 Server


Not Vulnerable:
===============
- Apache Tomcat 4.1.3 beta on Windows 2000 Server


Details:
========
By sending a large amount of null characters to the web service
it is possible to cause a working thread to hang. The default
installation has 75 working threads, which means this malformed
request has to be sent to the server 75 times.


Vendor URL:
===========
You can visit the vendor webpage here: http://jakarta.apache.org


Vendor Response:
================
This was reported to the vendor on the 23rd of May, 2002. We
never heard back from the vendor. On the 10th of June, 2002, the
issue was confirmed fixed in the latest build.


Corrective action:
==================
Upgrade to V4.1.3 beta, which is available here (URL is wrapped):

"http://jakarta.apache.org/builds/jakarta-tomcat-4.0/release
/v4.1.3-beta/"


Author: Peter Gründl (pgrundl () kpmg dk)

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