CVE-2005-4703: Apache Tomcat Discloses MS-DOS Pathname

org.apache.tomcat:tomcat Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

01/05/2022

Disclosed on

CVE-2005-4703

CVE

No i

Fix available

Moderate

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

CVE-2005-4703: Apache Tomcat Discloses MS-DOS Pathname. Affects org.apache.tomcat:tomcat versions < 4.0.3. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

Apache Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet container that is widely used for hosting Java-based web applications. It provides a robust and scalable platform for running Java web applications and supports various protocols and technologies. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Apache Tomcat 4.0.3 when running on Windows operating systems.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sending a request for a file that contains an MS-DOS device name, such as 'lpt9'. This request triggers an error message that leaks the pathname of the requested file. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gather information about the server's file system structure, potentially aiding in further attacks. This vulnerability was demonstrated using Nikto, a popular web server scanner.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the recommended fix by updating Apache Tomcat to a patched version.

Conclusion

Apache Tomcat 4.0.3 running on Windows is vulnerable to a disclosure of MS-DOS pathname vulnerability. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information about the server's file system structure. It is crucial to update Apache Tomcat to a patched version to mitigate this issue. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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