CVE-2018-1305 — Apache Tomcat information exposure vulnerability
Security constraints defined by annotations of Servlets in Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.4, 8.5.0 to 8.5.27, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.49 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.84 were only applied once a Servlet had been loaded. Because security constraints defined in this way apply to the URL pattern and any URLs below that point, it was possible - depending on the order Servlets were loaded - for some security constraints not to be applied. This could have exposed resources to users who were not authorised to access them.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 14.5% (30-day exploitation probability)+14
- Technical severity (medium)+3
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
- Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Documented patch — www.oracle.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 8.5.28 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 7.0.85 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
- Maven Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core: fixed in version 9.0.5 — github.com (GitHub Security Advisories)
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Apache Software Foundation Tomcat, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux…).
- Apply the fixed version or the patch documented under Remediation.
- EPSS ahead of 97% of scored CVEs: prioritize it in the patch queue.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Tomcat |
version 9.0.0-milestone3version 9.0.0-milestone18version 9.0.0-milestone19version 9.0.0-milestone2version 9.0.0-milestone20version 9.0.0-milestone21version 9.0.0-milestone22version 9.0.0-milestone23 and 31 moreversion 9.0.0-milestone24version 9.0.0-milestone25version 9.0.0-milestone26version 9.0.0-milestone27version 9.0.0-milestone17version 9.0.0-milestone4version 9.0.0-milestone5version 9.0.0-milestone6version 9.0.0-milestone7version 9.0.0-milestone8version 9.0.0-milestone9version 9.0.1version 9.0.2version 9.0.3version 9.0.4version 8.0.0-rc3≥ 8.5.0 and ≤ 8.5.27≥ 7.0.0 and ≤ 7.0.84≥ 8.0.0 and ≤ 8.0.49version 8.0.0-rc1version 8.0.0-rc10version 8.0.0-rc5version 9.0.0version 9.0.0-milestone1version 9.0.0-milestone10version 9.0.0-milestone11version 9.0.0-milestone12version 9.0.0-milestone13version 9.0.0-milestone14version 9.0.0-milestone15version 9.0.0-milestone16 |
Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Apache Software Foundation | Tomcat | version Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.4, 8.5.0 to 8.5.27, 8.0.0.RC1 to 8.0.49, 7.0.0 to | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
| Canonical | Ubuntu Linux | version 18.04version 17.10version 16.04version 14.04 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Debian | Debian Linux | version 8.0version 9.0version 7.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Fusion Middleware | version 12.2.1.3.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Managed File Transfer | version 12.1.3.0.0version 12.2.1.3.0 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Oracle | Micros Relate Crm Software | version 11.4 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Maven | Org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core | ≥ 8.5.0 and ≤ 8.5.27≥ 7.0.0 and ≤ 7.0.84≥ 9.0.0M1 and ≤ 9.0.4 | Vulnerable | GitHub Security Advisories |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | 2.8 | 3.6 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 6.5 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | — | — | GitHub, Inc. via GitHub Security Advisories |
| 4.0 | CVSS 2.0 | Medium | 8.0 | 2.9 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N (score shown at the top: nvd@nist.gov) Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Fix documented
- Affected products added · maven/org.apache.tomcat.embed:tomcat-embed-core
- Affected products added · apache software foundation/apache tomcat
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- Fix documented
- Affected products added · apache/tomcat, debian/debian linux, canonical/ubuntu linux, oracle/fusion middleware, oracle/managed file transfer, orac
- CVSS changed · 6.5
- Source status changed · → Modified
- Record created in this database
- 2018
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 2× References added · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
References
64 on the record
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551%
- web.archive.org/web/20200227030042/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103144
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d
- usn.ubuntu.com/3665-1/
- www.securitytracker.com/id/1040428
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0466
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc@
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/d3354bb0a4eda4acc0a66f3eb24a213fdb75d12c7d16060b23e65781%
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2939
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/raba0fabaf4d56d4325ab2aca8814f0b30a237ab83d8106b115ee279a
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00044.html
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180706-0001
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb%
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/3e54b2a6314eda11617ff7a7b899c251e222b1a1
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/e85e83e9954f169bbb77b44baae5a33d8de878df557bb32b7f793661%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/b5e3f51d28cd5d9b1809f56594f2cf63dcd6a90429e16ea9f83bbedc%
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/2aac69f694d42d9219eb27018b3da0ae1bdd73ab
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1320
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r48c1444845fe15a823e1374674bfc297d5008a5453788099ea14caf0
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/c63b96d72cd39287e17b2ba698f4eee0ba508073
- web.archive.org/web/20200516094320/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040428
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/03/msg00004.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/5c0e00fd31efc11e147bf99d0f03c00a734447d3b131ab0818644cdb@
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/103144
- usn.ubuntu.com/3665-1
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-jx6h-3fjx-cgv5
- www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4281
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/06/msg00008.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/1dd0a59c1295cc08ce4c9e7edae5ad2268acc9ba55adcefa0532e5ba%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/343558d982879bf88ec20dbf707f8c11255f8e219e81d45c4f8d0551@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/845312a10aabbe2c499fca94003881d2c79fc993d85f34c1f5c77424@
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/4d637bc3986e5d09b9363e2144b8ba74fa6eac3a
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/de6b4fd58b64828f374503b9ec76a12017b92895
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3%
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1305
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9136ff5b13e4f1941360b5a309efee2c114a14855578c3a2cbe5d19c
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/88855876c33f2f9c532ffb75bfee570ccf0b17ffa77493745af9a17a%
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/e85e83e9954f169bbb77b44baae5a33d8de878df557bb32b7f793661@
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180706-0001/
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/6af47120905aa7d8fe12f42e8ff2284fb338ba141d3b77b8c7cb61b3@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/1dd0a59c1295cc08ce4c9e7edae5ad2268acc9ba55adcefa0532e5ba@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3bbb800a816d0a51eccc5a228c58736960a9fffafa581a225834d97d
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/d3354bb0a4eda4acc0a66f3eb24a213fdb75d12c7d16060b23e65781@
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2205
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0465
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/eb6efa8d59c45a7a9eff94c4b925467d3b3fec8ba7697f3daa314b04@
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/388a323769f1dff84c9ec905455aa73fbcb20338e3c7eb131457f708%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9
- github.com/apache/tomcat/commit/2349801827f09fb6582a8afdeca704294106ad9a
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/3d19773b4cf0377db62d1e9328bf9160bf1819f04f988315086931d7%
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6ccee4e849bc77df0840c7f853f6bd09d426f6741247da2b7429d5d9
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Medium CVE-2026-73180 Apache Tomcat: Authenticated WebSocket session survives end of HTTP session Aug 25, 2026
- High CVE-2026-68569 Apache Tomcat: Principal lookup can fail open in some cases Aug 25, 2026
- High CVE-2026-65183 Apache Tomcat: TOCTOU when setting specific permissions for Unix Domain Sockets Aug 25, 2026
- Critical CVE-2026-68525 Apache Tomcat: Redirect after FORM auth may bypass method specific constraints Aug 25, 2026
- High CVE-2026-66422 Apache Tomcat: Servlet role references can bypass declarative role constraints Aug 25, 2026
- High CVE-2026-65927 Apache Tomcat: RewriteValve [N] restarts at the second rule and may bypass access control Aug 25, 2026
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No CWE classification.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2018-1305 is "Apache Tomcat information exposure vulnerability", rated Medium. It affects Tomcat (Apache Software Foundation); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 6.5 describes technical severity. EPSS 14.47% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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