CVE-2011-3923 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Struts before 2.3.1.2 allows remote attackers to bypass security protections in the ParameterInterceptor class and execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The Apache Struts framework represents a widely adopted enterprise web application development platform that has been integral to numerous business-critical applications across various industries. This vulnerability specifically targets the ParameterInterceptor class within Apache Struts versions prior to 2.3.1.2, creating a critical security flaw that undermines the framework's built-in protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the parameter handling process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the framework's behavior through crafted HTTP requests. This particular flaw operates at the core of the framework's security architecture, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized command execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a flaw in how the ParameterInterceptor processes incoming parameters from HTTP requests. When the framework receives parameter data, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into the application's execution flow. Attackers can construct specially crafted parameter values that contain malicious payloads, particularly leveraging the framework's type conversion capabilities to execute arbitrary code on the server. The vulnerability manifests when the framework's parameter processing logic encounters certain parameter names or values that trigger unintended behavior within the underlying Java runtime environment. This flaw operates as a command injection vulnerability, where the malicious parameters are interpreted and executed as system commands rather than being treated as simple data inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it enables full remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or use of the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations running legacy versions of Apache Struts, which may include critical business applications, web portals, and enterprise systems that rely on the framework's capabilities. Organizations with systems running vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromise that could affect entire network infrastructures.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Apache Struts version 2.3.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious parameter payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and improper validation of critical security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command execution and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access and move laterally within affected networks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire application portfolio.