Apache Jakarta Tomcat up to 5.5.6 Messenger functions.jsp cross site scripting

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apache Jakarta Tomcat up to 5.5.6 and classified as problematic. The impacted element is an unknown function of the file examples/jsp2/el/functions.jsp of the component Messenger. Executing a manipulation can lead to cross site scripting. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2005-4838. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apache Jakarta Tomcat up to 5.5.6. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown code of the file examples/jsp2/el/functions.jsp of the component Messenger. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a cross site scripting vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-79. The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the example web applications for Jakarta Tomcat 5.5.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) el/functions.jsp, (2) el/implicit-objects.jsp, and (3) jspx/textRotate.jspx in examples/jsp2/, as demonstrated via script in a request to snp/snoop.jsp. NOTE: other XSS issues in the manager were simultaneously reported, but these require admin access and do not cross privilege boundaries.

The weakness was released 01/03/2005 by Oliver Karow (Alex) (Website). The advisory is shared for download at oliverkarow.de. This vulnerability was named CVE-2005-4838 since 04/25/2007. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details and also a public exploit are known. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1059.007.

After immediately, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is possible to download the exploit at oliverkarow.de. It is declared as highly functional. By approaching the search of inurl:examples/jsp2/el/functions.jsp it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 43840 (RHEL 4 : Satellite Server (RHSA-2008:0630)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Red Hat Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86780 (Apache Tomcat 4 and 5 Multiple Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerabilities).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at mail-archive.com. A possible mitigation has been published 2 years after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (36467), Tenable (43840), SecurityFocus (BID 23192†), OSVDB (12721†) and Secunia (SA31493†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-1867, VDB-3071, VDB-11829 and VDB-18872. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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CVSSv4info

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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Cross site scripting
CWE: CWE-79 / CWE-94 / CWE-74
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Download: 🔍
Google Hack: 🔍

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Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 43840
Nessus Name: RHEL 4 : Satellite Server (RHSA-2008:0630)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
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Nessus Port: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

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Patch: mail-archive.com

Timelineinfo

01/03/2005 🔍
01/03/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/06/2005 +3 days 🔍
01/06/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/10/2005 +3 days 🔍
12/31/2005 +355 days 🔍
06/16/2006 +167 days 🔍
03/29/2007 +286 days 🔍
04/25/2007 +27 days 🔍
09/06/2007 +134 days 🔍
09/23/2007 +17 days 🔍
08/14/2008 +326 days 🔍
01/10/2010 +514 days 🔍
06/25/2025 +5645 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apache.org

Advisory: oliverkarow.de
Researcher: Oliver Karow (Alex)
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2005-4838 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2005-4838
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-1096
X-Force: 36467 - Apache Tomcat functions.jsp cross-site scripting, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 23192 - Mod_Perl Path_Info Remote Denial Of Service Vulnerability
Secunia: 31493 - Red Hat update for Red Hat Network Satellite Server, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 12721 - Apache Tomcat examples/jsp2/el/functions.jsp XSS
SecurityTracker: 1012793
Vulnerability Center: 16107 - Apache Tomcat Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability Allows Cookie-Based Credentials Leakage, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 01/10/2005 13:24
Updated: 06/25/2025 12:17
Changes: 01/10/2005 13:24 (95), 06/30/2019 20:30 (6), 06/25/2025 12:17 (23)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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