# CVE-2005-4703: Apache Tomcat Discloses MS-DOS Pathname

> Remote attackers can obtain sensitive path information from Apache Tomcat on Windows by requesting files with MS-DOS device names.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 1 Feb 2006
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-x89r-2wjq-mj7x

## What is CVE-2005-4703?

CVE-2005-4703 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 1 Feb 2006. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache Tomcat 4.0.3, when running on Windows, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request for a file that contains an MS-DOS device name such as lpt9, which leaks the pathname in an error message, as demonstrated by lpt9.xtp using Nikto.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2005-4703?

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 to 4.0.3 | None |
| `org.apache.tomcat:tomcat` | Maven | All versions to 4.0.3 | None |

Products: Apache Tomcat.

## How do I fix CVE-2005-4703?

No fix has been published for CVE-2005-4703 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2005-4703 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2005-4703 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache Tomcat 4.0.3 - Requests Containing MS-DOS Device Names Information Disclosure (exploitdb)

## 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-2005-4703 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2005-4703 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Tomcat, published on 1 Feb 2006. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2005-4703 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): affected all versions up to 4.0.3; no fix listed
- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): affected all versions up to 4.0.3; no fix listed

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-2005-4703/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-4703/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2005-4703
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2005-4703
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2005-4703

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-4703/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.