CVE-2012-1006 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Apache Struts 2.0.14 and 2.2.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name or (2) lastName parameter to struts2-showcase/person/editPerson.action, or the (3) clientName parameter to struts2-rest-showcase/orders.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1006 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Apache Struts 2.0.14 and 2.2.3 frameworks. This flaw resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically within the struts2-showcase and struts2-rest-showcase components. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters before their inclusion in web responses, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of victim browsers. The affected parameters include name and lastName in the editPerson.action endpoint, as well as clientName in the orders endpoint of the REST showcase application. These vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The attack vectors exploit the framework's handling of HTTP parameters without proper encoding or validation, making it possible for remote attackers to manipulate application behavior and potentially access sensitive user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute commands on the server if the application lacks proper security controls. The affected endpoints represent common user interaction points where personal information is typically collected and displayed, making them prime targets for exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that leverage the vulnerable parameters to inject JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the showcase applications that demonstrate framework capabilities, meaning that exploitation could occur even in development environments where security measures might be less stringent. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious web content to compromise systems through various attack vectors including cross-site scripting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1006 require immediate implementation of parameter validation and output encoding measures within the affected Apache Struts applications. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Apache Struts 2.0.15 or later, which contain fixes addressing the input sanitization issues. Additionally, implementing proper input validation frameworks, such as Apache Struts' built-in validation mechanisms, can help prevent malicious payloads from being processed. The application should employ output encoding for all parameters before rendering them in web pages, particularly when displaying user-supplied data. Security headers including Content Security Policy can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by limiting script execution. Regular security testing and code reviews should focus on parameter handling within web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious parameter values that could indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 which emphasizes the need for secure input handling to prevent injection attacks including cross-site scripting.