Course

The Code Review Patch challenges are designed to help you identify vulnerabilities by providing both the original vulnerable code and the patch that fixes it. The recommended approach is to first examine the code to identify potential issues independently. This method enhances your problem-solving skills and understanding of common vulnerabilities. If you find the task too challenging or wish to verify your findings, you can then consult the patch file to see the exact changes made to mitigate the issue.

In this specific challenge, the focus is on a vulnerability within the `ExpandWar.java` file from the Apache Tomcat project. The goal is to understand the unsafe code and how the patch addresses the flaw. The patched code introduces several security improvements such as validating paths to prevent directory traversal attacks and logging failures more effectively. This exercise not only aids in recognizing insecure coding practices but also emphasizes the importance of thorough validation and error handling in software development.