CVE-2008-5515

CVE-2008-5515 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 19% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 19% (97th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-22
• Affected product: Apache Tomcat
• Published: 2009-06-16
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is 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 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.

How severe is CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-5515 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5515?

CVE-2008-5515 primarily affects Apache Tomcat. In total, 80 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5515?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2008-5515 published?

CVE-2008-5515 was published on 2009-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN63832775/index.html
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-07/msg00002.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-04/msg00001.html
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127420533226623&w=2
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=129070310906557&w=2
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=136485229118404&w=2
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35393
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35685
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35788
• http://secunia.com/advisories/37460
• http://secunia.com/advisories/39317
• http://secunia.com/advisories/42368
• http://secunia.com/advisories/44183
• http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-263529-1
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
• http://tomcat.apache.org/security-4.html
• http://tomcat.apache.org/security-5.html
• http://tomcat.apache.org/security-6.html
• http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2207
• http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/interstage-200902e.html
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:136
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:138
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:176
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504170/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504202/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507985/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35263
• http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1520

Affected products (80)

• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.24:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.26:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.27:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.28:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.29:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.36:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.37:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.38:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:4.1.39:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache:tomcat:5.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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