CVE-2022-29885
Published: 12 May 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-29885 is a high-severity Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (CWE-400) vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
The vulnerability is a documentation error affecting the EncryptInterceptor in Apache Tomcat versions 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.0-M14, 10.0.0-M1 through 10.0.20, 9.0.13 through 9.0.62, and 8.5.38 through 8.5.78. The documentation incorrectly claimed that the interceptor allowed Tomcat clustering to operate safely over untrusted networks by providing confidentiality and integrity, whereas it leaves the cluster exposed to denial-of-service risks that the component does not mitigate.
An attacker with network access to a cluster using the EncryptInterceptor can send crafted traffic that exploits these unaddressed DoS vectors, resulting in high availability impact without requiring authentication or user interaction. The flaw received a CVSS 7.5 score reflecting network attack vector and the potential for service disruption.
Advisories from Apache, Debian, and NetApp recommend reviewing clustering configurations that rely on the EncryptInterceptor over untrusted networks and applying the corrected documentation supplied in subsequent Tomcat releases; no code change to the interceptor itself is described.
EPSS scores reached a peak of 0.6011 with a current value of 0.5553, indicating sustained moderate exploitation interest after disclosure. Public references include proof-of-concept material for denial-of-service conditions against the listed Tomcat versions.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-5128
Vulnerability details
The documentation of Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.0-M14, 10.0.0-M1 to 10.0.20, 9.0.13 to 9.0.62 and 8.5.38 to 8.5.78 for the EncryptInterceptor incorrectly stated it enabled Tomcat clustering to run over an untrusted network. This was not correct. While the EncryptInterceptor…
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does provide confidentiality and integrity protection, it does not protect against all risks associated with running over any untrusted network, particularly DoS risks.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Limiting concurrent sessions directly prevents uncontrolled resource consumption by capping the number of active sessions per user or account.
Analysis identifies uncontrolled resource consumption indicative of denial-of-service or abuse attempts.
Contingency plan testing includes resource exhaustion scenarios to verify recovery, making it harder for attackers to sustain exploits that cause uncontrolled consumption.
Updated contingency plans include current procedures to detect, contain, and recover from resource exhaustion, limiting an attacker's ability to sustain impact from uncontrolled consumption.
Alternate site allows resumption of operations if resource exhaustion at the primary site is exploited to cause unavailability.
Alternate telecommunications services enable resumption of essential functions when primary services become unavailable due to uncontrolled resource consumption.
The team can analyze and respond to resource exhaustion incidents, reducing the impact of attacks that exploit uncontrolled consumption weaknesses.
Timely maintenance support and spare parts enable rapid recovery from failures induced by uncontrolled resource consumption, shortening the impact window of denial-of-service attacks.