CVE-2008-5515: Apache Tomcat Path Traversal Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Directory Traversal in Apache Tomcat under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').

Q: Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2008-5515?

Upgrading to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is tomcat affected?

Yes, org.apache.tomcat:tomcat is affected in releases prior to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20. Upgrade your dependency to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2008-5515?

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.

MODERATE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9737-qmgc-hfr9

CVSS 5.3

CWE-22

Published 2022-05-14

Advisory Summary

CVE-2008-5515 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.3) path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Apache Tomcat libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves directory traversal in apache tomcat. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20.

CVE-2008-5515 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2008-5515

GHSA Identifier GHSA-9737-qmgc-hfr9

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.3

CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Affected Product Apache Tomcat

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2022-05-14

Last Updated 2024-02-21

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.3

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality Low (C:L)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2008-5515

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: 4.1.40

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>4.1.40</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 5.5.28

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>5.5.28</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat fixed: 6.0.20

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tomcat</groupId>
    <artifactId>tomcat</artifactId>
    <version>6.0.20</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-2008-5515, 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 4.1.40), 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-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. 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 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.

CVE-2008-5515 Affected Apache Tomcat Versions

3 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

4.1.405.5.286.0.20

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat	Maven	≥ 4.1.0 < 4.1.40	4.1.40
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat	Maven	≥ 5.5.0 < 5.5.28	5.5.28
org.apache.tomcat:tomcat maven/org.apache.tomcat/tomcat	Maven	≥ 6.0.0 < 6.0.20	6.0.20

References

NVD — CVE-2008-5515 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5515

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/6b61911f94d6d8d49ee933c5f1882a7e7c336d2c

Apache Tomcat Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/apache/tomcat

lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb63... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/06cfb634bc7bf37af7d8f760f118018746ad8efbd519c4b789ac9c2e%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

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/8dcaf7c... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8dcaf7c3894d66cb717646ea1504ea6e300021c85bb4e677dc16b1aa%40%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/r3aacc4... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3aacc40356defc3f248aa504b1e48e819dd0471a0a83349080c6bcbf%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a71... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r584a714f141eff7b1c358d4679288177bd4ca4558e9999d15867d4b5%40%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

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10422

jvn.jp/en/jp/jvn63832775/i... WEB

http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN63832775/index.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval:org.mitre.oval:def:19452

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6445

www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB

https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01156.html

www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB

https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01216.html

www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-pac... WEB

https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-November/msg01246.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-07/msg00002.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-04/msg00001.html

marc.info/ WEB

http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2

marc.info/ WEB

http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=129070310906557&w=2

marc.info/ WEB

http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2

support.apple.com/kb/ht4077 WEB

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2207

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/interstage-200902e.html

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:136

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:138

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:176

Apache Tomcat Security Information SECURITY

http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 is a security vulnerability in Apache Tomcat involving Directory Traversal in Apache Tomcat under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').

Which Apache Tomcat versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 across affected packages: org.apache.tomcat:tomcat.

What version fixes CVE-2008-5515?

Upgrading to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 (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 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20. Upgrade your dependency to 4.1.40, 5.5.28, 6.0.20 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2008-5515?

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

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  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "MODERATE",
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}

CVSS V3

5.3 MODERATE

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality Low (C:L)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability None (A:N)

Vector String

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-9737-qmgc-hfr9
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2022-05-14 01:17
Last Modified: 2024-02-21 19:56
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2022/05/GHSA-9737-qmgc-hfr9/GHSA-9737-qmgc-hfr9.json