CVE-2005-3745 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Struts 1.2.7, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string, which is not properly quoted or filtered when the request handler generates an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3745 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apache Struts framework version 1.2.7 and potentially other iterations of the software. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within query strings during error message generation processes. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, fundamentally compromising the integrity of web applications that rely on this framework for their operational functionality.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Struts framework's error handling subsystem. When a request generates an error condition, the framework fails to properly sanitize or quote user-supplied parameters that appear in the query string before incorporating them into error messages displayed to end users. This inadequate filtering creates an exploitable condition where malicious payloads can be injected through carefully crafted URL parameters that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the framework's inability to distinguish between legitimate application data and potentially harmful script content during error message rendering operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3745 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a vector for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from vulnerable applications. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject persistent scripts that can capture user interactions, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly concerning for web applications using Apache Struts 1.2.7 as it affects core framework functionality rather than isolated components, making the exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially affecting numerous applications simultaneously.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack pattern follows established methodologies documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of Web Application Attack, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through input manipulation. Organizations utilizing affected Struts versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation at all entry points, proper output encoding of user-supplied data, and comprehensive parameter sanitization before any error message generation occurs. The recommended remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Apache Struts, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify any applications potentially vulnerable to similar input handling weaknesses.