CVE-2008-2025 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Struts before 1.2.9-162.31.1 on SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) 11, before 1.2.9-108.2 on SUSE openSUSE 10.3, before 1.2.9-198.2 on SUSE openSUSE 11.0, and before 1.2.9-162.163.2 on SUSE openSUSE 11.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to "insufficient quoting of parameters."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2025 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apache Struts framework versions prior to specific patch releases on various SUSE Linux Enterprise and openSUSE distributions. This vulnerability stems from insufficient quoting of parameters during web application processing, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected web applications. The flaw specifically affects Apache Struts versions before 1.2.9-162.31.1 on SUSE Linux Enterprise 11, before 1.2.9-108.2 on SUSE openSUSE 10.3, before 1.2.9-198.2 on SUSE openSUSE 11.0, and before 1.2.9-162.163.2 on SUSE openSUSE 11.1. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web responses, thereby allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation where input values are not adequately quoted or escaped when incorporated into web pages or HTML responses. This insufficient parameter quoting creates a condition where malicious input can alter the intended execution flow of web applications, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary script code that persists in the application's response. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets web applications accessible over the internet. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input parameters that when processed by the vulnerable Struts framework, result in the injection of script code that executes in the browser of unsuspecting users who interact with the compromised application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser with the privileges of that user, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability affects web applications built on Apache Struts framework, which was widely used in enterprise environments, making the potential attack surface substantial. Organizations running affected versions of Struts on these SUSE distributions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, particularly in environments where user input is processed without proper sanitization. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple SUSE releases indicates a systemic issue in parameter handling that required specific patch releases to address the insufficient quoting mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Apache Struts versions with the appropriate security updates provided by SUSE. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected systems to versions that include proper parameter quoting and input sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices within web applications can serve as defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling and escaping mechanisms in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards that emphasize the need for robust sanitization of user input to prevent injection attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in web application frameworks and components.