CVE-2006-3835: Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat Reveals Directories Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wfj7-mhr5-pcwq
Share
CWE-200
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2006-3835 is a MODERATE apache tomcat reveals directories vulnerability (CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tomcat reveals directories. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.5.17.

CVE-2006-3835 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2006-3835
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wfj7-mhr5-pcwq
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Affected Product Apache Tomcat
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2006-3835

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache Tomcat dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 5.5.17 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>5.5.17</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2006-3835, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache Tomcat in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 5.5.17), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, where the product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. In Apache Tomcat, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Apache Tomcat 5 before 5.5.17 allows remote attackers to list directories via a semicolon (`;`) preceding a filename with a mapped extension, as demonstrated by URLs ending with `/;index.jsp` and `/;help.do`.

CVE-2006-3835 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.5.17
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat
maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat
Maven
≥ 5.0.0
< 5.5.17
5.5.17

References

NVD — CVE-2006-3835 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2006-3835
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/279... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/27902
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/341... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/34183
Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/tomcat
lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/c62b0e3a7bf23342352a5810c640a94b6db69957c5c19db507004d74@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200517122628/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500396/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200517153851/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500412/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200525234537/http://securitytracker.com/id?1016576
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200526144006/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507729/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200526152646/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/468048/100/0/threaded
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200526165235/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/19106
archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclo... WEB
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2006-07/0467.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://community.ca.com/blogs/casecurityresponseblog/archive/2009/01/23.aspx
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-02/msg00002.html
sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do WEB
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-239312-1
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2007-206.htm
support.ca.com/irj/portal/anonymou... WEB
http://support.ca.com/irj/portal/anonymous/phpsupcontent?contentID=197540
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html
Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY
http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html
www.redhat.com/support/errata/rhsa... WEB
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0261.html
www.sec-consult.com/289.html WEB
http://www.sec-consult.com/289.html
www.securenetwork.it/ricerca/advisory/do... WEB
http://www.securenetwork.it/ricerca/advisory/download/SN-2009-02.txt

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2006-3835?
CVE-2006-3835 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Apache Tomcat Reveals Directories under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor.
Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.5.17 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.
What version fixes CVE-2006-3835?
Upgrading to 5.5.17 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tomcat affected?
Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat is affected in releases prior to 5.5.17. Upgrade your dependency to 5.5.17 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2006-3835?
CVE-2006-3835 is classified under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor (The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2006-3835?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tomcat'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-wfj7-mhr5-pcwq",
  "modified" : "2025-04-04T14:18:37Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-01T07:12:56Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2006-3835" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tomcat Reveals Directories",
  "details" : "Apache Tomcat 5 before 5.5.17 allows remote attackers to list directories via a semicolon (`;`) preceding a filename with a mapped extension, as demonstrated by URLs ending with `/;index.jsp` and `/;help.do`.",
  "severity" : [ ],
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    },
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      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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        "introduced" : "5.0.0"
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        "fixed" : "5.5.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/27902"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/34183"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/29dc6c2b625789e70a9c4756b5a327e6547273ff8bde7e0327af48c5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb71997f506c6cc8b530dd845c084995a9878098846c7b4eacfae8db3@%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200517122628/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500396/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200517153851/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500412/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200525234537/http://securitytracker.com/id?1016576"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200526144006/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507729/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200526152646/http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/468048/100/0/threaded"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200526165235/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/19106"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2006-07/0467.html"
  }, {
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  }, {
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    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-02/msg00002.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-239312-1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2007-206.htm"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://support.ca.com/irj/portal/anonymous/phpsupcontent?contentID=197540"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0261.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.sec-consult.com/289.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securenetwork.it/ricerca/advisory/download/SN-2009-02.txt"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-200" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2025-04-04T14:18:37Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2006-07-25T13:22:00Z"
  }
}