CVE-2002-2009 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Tomcat 4.0.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the web root path via HTTP requests for JSP files preceded by (1) +/, (2) >/, (3) </, and (4) %20/, which leaks the pathname in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
This vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 4.0.1 represents a classic information disclosure flaw that occurs when the web application server processes malformed HTTP requests containing specific path traversal sequences. The vulnerability specifically affects how Tomcat handles JSP file requests that are preceded by four distinct malformed sequences: plus slash +/, greater than slash >/, less than slash </, and percent twenty slash %20/. When these malformed requests are processed, the server generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file system path of the web root directory. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that could be used for further exploitation attempts.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from Tomcat's request parsing and error handling mechanisms. When the server receives these malformed requests, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before generating error responses. The web root path is embedded within the error message output, creating a direct information leak that exposes the underlying file system structure to remote attackers. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as the server should never reveal internal system paths through its error responses. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that are commonly associated with weak security configurations and inadequate sanitization routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Once an attacker obtains the web root path, they can potentially map the entire directory structure and identify sensitive files, configuration data, or other resources that may contain credentials or other exploitable information. This information leak creates opportunities for directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, and other exploitation techniques that rely on knowledge of the target system's file structure. According to ATT&CK framework category T1083, this vulnerability enables adversaries to gather system information, which is a prerequisite for many subsequent attack phases. The exposure of the web root path essentially provides an attacker with a roadmap to the application's file system, significantly reducing the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Apache Tomcat, as version 4.0.1 is extremely outdated and no longer supported. The recommended approach involves applying the official security patches released by Apache Software Foundation to address the root cause of the information disclosure. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and error handling configurations within the Tomcat server can help prevent similar issues from occurring. Security hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary error messages, implementing custom error pages, and configuring proper access controls should be enforced. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect unusual patterns in HTTP requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices including principle of least privilege, proper error handling, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in legacy software systems.