Apache Struts Improper Input Validation vulnerability

Description

If an application allows enter an URL in a form field and built-in URLValidator is used, it is possible to prepare a special URL which will be used to overload server process when performing validation of the URL. Solution is to upgrade to Apache Struts version 2.5.12.

Basic information

Type
reviewed
Severity
medium
Advisory on GitHub
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Repository advisory
Source code
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Published (advisory)
2018-10-16 19:36:43 UTC
Updated
2024-01-04 23:08:59 UTC
GitHub reviewed
2020-06-16 21:28:35 UTC

EPSS Score

Score Percentile
1.35% 79.89%

CVSS Scores

Base score Version Severity Vector
5.9 3.0
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:N)
Could be attacked over the internet or any normal routed network—not just someone sitting at the machine.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:N)
No account or special rights needed—anonymous or random user is enough.
User interaction (UI:N)
Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U)
Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:N)
Doesn’t really leak secrets in a meaningful way.
Integrity (I:N)
Data isn’t meaningfully altered or forged.
Availability (A:H)
Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.

Identifiers

CWEs

CWE id Name
CWE-20 Improper Input Validation

Affected packages (1)

Vulnerable version ranges and first patched releases as published by GitHub.

Ecosystem Package Vulnerable range First patched Vulnerable functions
maven org.apache.struts:struts2-core >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.12 2.5.12

References

cvelogic Threat Intelligence