CVE-2025-55754: Apache Tomcat console manipulation via ANSI escape sequences in logs

CVE-2025-55754 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2025-10-27

Apache Tomcat is a widely used web server for hosting Java applications. A vulnerability exists where an attacker can send a specially crafted web request that causes malicious commands to be hidden within the server's log files. If an administrator views these logs in a terminal that supports special formatting codes (ANSI sequences), the attacker could potentially manipulate the administrator's console or clipboard to trick them into executing unauthorized commands.

Technologies: Apache Tomcat, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven), org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven), org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven). Vendors: Apache, Maven.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-55754 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-55754 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2025-55754?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 27 October 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, 9.0.40 through 9.0.108, 8.5.60 through 8.5.100; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.11; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.11; org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=11.0.0-M1,fixed=11.0.11.
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-55754?
Yes. org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later; org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2025-55754 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-55754?
Check whether you run Apache Tomcat, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven), org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven) or one of the others listed 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 (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later
    # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat to 11.0.11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  • org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later
    # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-catalina to 11.0.11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  • org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core (Maven): upgrade to 11.0.11 or later
    # set org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core to 11.0.11 in your pom.xml or build.gradle

Technical details

Apache Tomcat fails to properly neutralize ANSI escape sequences before writing them to log files. An attacker can trigger this by sending a specially crafted URL containing these sequences, which Tomcat then logs. If the server is running in a console (primarily on Windows) that interprets ANSI sequences, an administrator viewing the logs could be subjected to terminal manipulation or clipboard hijacking. This is classified as CWE-150 (Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences). While the primary risk is identified for Windows environments, other operating systems using ANSI-compliant terminals may also be affected. Patches are available in versions 11.0.11, 10.1.45, and 9.0.109.

Affected products

  • Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.10, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.44, 9.0.40 through 9.0.108, 8.5.60 through 8.5.100

Identifiers

  • CVE-2025-55754
  • GHSA-vfww-5hm6-hx2j

Timeline

  • 2025-10-27: disclosed
  • 2025-10-27: advisory

References

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