# CVE-2023-46589: Apache Tomcat Improper Input Validation vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-46589-apache-tomcat-improper-input-validation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-11-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-46589 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2023-11-28

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Apache Tomcat. Tomcat from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M10, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.15, from 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.82, and from 8.5.0 through 8.5.95 did not correctly parse HTTP trailer headers. A trailer header that exceeded the header size limit could cause Tomcat to treat a single request as multiple requests leading to the possibility of request smuggling when behind a reverse proxy. Older, EOL versions may also be affected.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.0-M11 onwards, 10.1.16 onwards, 9.0.83 onwards or 8.5.96 onwards, which fix the issue.

Technologies: [org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-tomcat-tomcat-catalina), [org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-tomcat-tomcat-coyote), [org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-tomcat-embed-tomcat-embed-core). Vendors: [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-46589 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2023-46589 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2023-46589?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 28 November 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11; org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-46589?** Yes. org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later; org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-46589?** Check whether you run org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven), org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven) or org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to 11.0.0-M11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```

- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote to 11.0.0-M11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```

- org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.0-M11 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to 11.0.0-M11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11
- org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.0-M11

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-46589
- GHSA-fccv-jmmp-qg76

## Related threats

- [Apache Tomcat FORM authentication authorization bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68525-apache-tomcat-form-authentication-authorization-bypass)
- [Apache Tomcat DIGEST authenticator authentication bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65905-apache-tomcat-digest-authenticator-authentication-bypass)
- [Apache Tomcat improper input validation in incomplete fix](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65637-apache-tomcat-improper-input-validation-in-incomplete-fix)
- [Apache Tomcat security constraint bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65182-apache-tomcat-security-constraint-bypass)
- [Apache Tomcat authentication bypass in JNDIRealm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55957-apache-tomcat-authentication-bypass-in-jndirealm)