CVE-2018-1304: The URL pattern of "" (the empty string) which exactly maps to the context root was not correctly handled in A

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MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-1304 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting tomcat, jboss enterprise application platform, jboss enterprise web server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The URL pattern of "" (the empty string) which exactly maps to the context root was not correctly handled 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 when used as part of a security constraint definition. This caused the constraint to be ignored. It was, therefore, possible for unauthorised users to gain access to web application resources that should have been protected. Only security constraints

Why this priority

EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	17.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2018-02-28
Last modified	2026-10-15

Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache · canonical · debian · oracle · redhat

Last updated 2026-10-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-02-28 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-15 18:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache tomcat UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.0.0 and <= 7.0.84 · >= 8.0.0 and <= 8.0.49 · >= 8.5.0 and <= 8.5.27 · >= 9.0.0 and <= 9.0.4 · 8.0.0 rc1 · 9.0.0 milestone1 · 9.0.0 milestone10 · 9.0.0 milestone11

Fixed in: newer than 9.0.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tomcat || rpm -q tomcat || tomcat --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.0.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tomcat

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tomcat

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tomcat sudo apt install tomcat=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold tomcat

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tomcat sudo dnf downgrade tomcat-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add tomcat

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat jboss enterprise application platform DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6 · 6.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jboss-enterprise-application-platform || rpm -q jboss-enterprise-application-platform || jboss-enterprise-application-platform --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jboss-enterprise-application-platform sudo apt install jboss-enterprise-application-platform=<VERSION_BEFORE_6> sudo apt-mark hold jboss-enterprise-application-platform

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list jboss-enterprise-application-platform sudo dnf downgrade jboss-enterprise-application-platform-<VERSION_BEFORE_6> sudo dnf versionlock add jboss-enterprise-application-platform

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat jboss enterprise web server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jboss-enterprise-web-server || rpm -q jboss-enterprise-web-server || jboss-enterprise-web-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jboss-enterprise-web-server sudo apt install jboss-enterprise-web-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold jboss-enterprise-web-server

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list jboss-enterprise-web-server sudo dnf downgrade jboss-enterprise-web-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add jboss-enterprise-web-server

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 17.10 · 18.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

oracle fusion middleware DOWNGRADE

Affected: 12.2.1.3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.2.1.3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy fusion-middleware || rpm -q fusion-middleware || fusion-middleware --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.2.1.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison fusion-middleware sudo apt install fusion-middleware=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.2.1.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold fusion-middleware

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list fusion-middleware sudo dnf downgrade fusion-middleware-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.2.1.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add fusion-middleware

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-1304?

tomcat: upgrade to newer than 9.0.4; jboss enterprise application platform: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; jboss enterprise web server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-1304 being exploited?

CVE-2018-1304 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-1304 affect?

CVE-2018-1304 affects tomcat, jboss enterprise application platform, jboss enterprise web server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The URL pattern of "" (the empty string) which exactly maps to the context root was not correctly handled 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 when used as part of a security constrain

How urgent is CVE-2018-1304?

Priority 55/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Tomcat vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · JBoss and WildFly vulnerabilities

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References

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