# CVE-2002-0493: Apache Tomcat may be started without proper security settings

> Attackers can bypass security restrictions if Tomcat fails to read web.xml correctly, potentially exposing protected resources.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 2 Apr 2003
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-p543-jg43-9pm5

## What is CVE-2002-0493?

CVE-2002-0493 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 2 Apr 2003. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache Tomcat may be started without proper security settings if errors are encountered while reading the web.xml file, which could allow attackers to bypass intended restrictions.

Weakness: CWE-254

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2002-0493?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.tomcat:tomcat. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.tomcat:tomcat` | Maven | All versions | 4.0b7 |
| `org.apache.tomcat:tomcat` | Maven | All versions | 4.0b7 |

Products: Apache Tomcat.

## How do I fix CVE-2002-0493?

Upgrade org.apache.tomcat:tomcat to 4.0b7 or later.

## Is CVE-2002-0493 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2002-0493 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat

- [CVE-2025-24813](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-24813/): Apache Tomcat Path Equivalence (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2016-8735](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8735/): Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-12617](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12617/): Apache Tomcat Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-12615](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12615/): Apache Tomcat on Windows Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-34486](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-34486/): Apache Tomcat Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data (high 7.5, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2002-0493 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2002-0493 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 2 Apr 2003. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2002-0493 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 4.0b7
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 4.0b7

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0493/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0493/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2002-0493
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2002-0493
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2002-0493

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0493/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.