CVE-2026-65182

Apache Tomcat: Bypass of overlapping servlet security constraints

Summary

Incorrect selection of overlapping servlet security constraints can allow access that should be denied by a more restrictive constraint.

The issue affects Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.120 in the 9.0 branch and is fixed in Tomcat 9.0.121. The bundled version, 9.0.120, falls within this version range; exploitability depends on the conditions described below.

The Critical classification reflects the CISA assessment in the CVE record: 9.1 (CVSS 3.1). Apache rates this issue Important. The upstream severity is distinct from PageSeeder exposure.

For technical details, see the Apache Tomcat security advisory .

PageSeeder impact assessment

Assessment

PageSeeder is not affected by CVE-2026-65182 in the reviewed standard configuration because the required configuration or application usage was not found.

Required conditions for exploitation: Overlapping declarative security constraints where a constraint for a longer path precedes a more restrictive constraint for a shorter sub-path, as described by the upstream advisory.

Relevant PageSeeder configuration: No applicable security-constraint declarations or ServletSecurity annotations were found in the supplied PageSeeder applications.

Evidence from source and configuration review:

• The reviewed main and root application descriptors contain no matching declarative security constraints.
• Repository searches found no ServletSecurity annotations or programmatic setServletSecurity configuration.
• Custom application permission checks are separate from the vulnerable declarative constraint selection.

This assessment is limited to the repository revision and configuration reviewed on 11 November 2026. It does not independently verify the historical PageSeeder version range in the model advisory. Customised connectors, deployment descriptors, extensions and additional web applications may change exposure.

The PageSeeder installer source was also reviewed at commit a08323b (Windows, Linux EL7, EL8 and EL9). Installer review supports the standard configuration assessment; it does not establish the configuration of every deployed server. Linux RPM packaging marks server.xml CONFIG | NOREPLACE, so existing administrator changes can survive upgrades.

Recommended action

Administrators who add overlapping declarative security constraints, or host other applications using them, should upgrade to Tomcat 9.0.121 or later, preferably 9.0.123 or later. Review installed descriptors and deployment customisations.

For installations matching the reviewed unaffected configuration, no CVE-specific emergency change is required. Confirm the installed configuration before relying on this conclusion. Use a supported PageSeeder distribution containing an updated Tomcat where available; this advisory does not announce a PageSeeder release date or confirm that such a distribution has shipped.

Dependency maintenance recommendation: update the bundled Tomcat to 9.0.123 or a later supported release, which also incorporates fixes for the other Critical CVEs covered in this advisory set.

References

• CVE-2026-65182 record and CISA severity assessment 
• Apache Tomcat security advisory 
• Apache Tomcat 9 security advisories 
• Apache Tomcat 9 changelog