CVE-2003-0044 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the (1) examples and (2) ROOT web applications for Jakarta Tomcat 3.x through 3.3.1a allow remote attackers to insert arbitrary web script or HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0044 represents a critical security flaw affecting Jakarta Tomcat versions 3.x through 3.3.1a, specifically within the examples and ROOT web applications. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into web applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Tomcat web server implementation, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of victim browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. These vulnerabilities occur when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious script code through various input vectors such as URL parameters, form fields, or HTTP headers that are then reflected back to other users browsing the affected applications. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as these vulnerabilities can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0044 is significant for organizations utilizing affected Tomcat versions, as it compromises the integrity and security of web applications. Remote attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities without requiring authentication or special privileges, making them particularly dangerous in production environments. The vulnerability affects the core web applications distributed with Tomcat, meaning that any organization running these default applications is at risk. The exploitation can lead to session hijacking, data theft, defacement of web content, and potential escalation to more severe attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Tomcat installations to versions that address the XSS flaws, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script content. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement the principle of least privilege for web application components. Additionally, regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be established to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, aligning with industry best practices and security frameworks such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web application development, particularly in server-side components that handle user-provided data.