Catalyzes the oxidation of catechol to 2-hydroxymuconate semialdehyde in the carbazole and BENZOATE degradation via hydroxylation pathways. It also catalyzes the conversion of 3-methylcatechol to cis, cis-2-hydroxy-6-oxohept-2,4-dienoate in the toluene and XYLENE degradation pathway. This enzyme was formerly characterized as EC 1.13.1.2.