CVE-2008-2938

What it is

Directory traversal vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.37, 5.5.0 through 5.5.26, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.16, when allowLinking and UTF-8 are enabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via encoded directory traversal sequences in the URI, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-2370. NOTE: versions earlier than 6.0.18 were reported affected, but the vendor advisory lists 6.0.16 as the last affected version.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

99.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2008-08-13 00:41 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 22:54 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 99.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 4.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2008-08-13 00:41 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:54 UTC

Exploit probability

99.7% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-22 · Path traversal

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Apache Tomcat ≤ 4.1.37
• Apache Tomcat ≤ 5.5.26
• Apache Tomcat ≤ 6.0.16

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 4.3

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Medium

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

None

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2008-2938.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2008-2938. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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