CVE-2014-0114 in Insurance IFRS 17 Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Commons BeanUtils, as distributed in lib/commons-beanutils-1.8.0.jar in Apache Struts 1.x through 1.3.10 and in other products requiring commons-beanutils through 1.9.2, does not suppress the class property, which allows remote attackers to "manipulate" the ClassLoader and execute arbitrary code via the class parameter, as demonstrated by the passing of this parameter to the getClass method of the ActionForm object in Struts 1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0114 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Commons BeanUtils library that has significant implications for applications using Apache Struts 1.x frameworks. This vulnerability stems from the library's failure to properly handle the class property during object population processes, creating an avenue for remote code execution attacks. The flaw affects versions through 1.9.2 of the Commons BeanUtils library and specifically impacts Apache Struts 1.x applications running versions 1.3.10 and earlier, making it a widespread concern across numerous enterprise applications that relied on these components.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper suppression of the class property within the bean population process. When an application processes user input through ActionForm objects in Struts 1, the Commons BeanUtils library attempts to populate bean properties from request parameters. However, due to the lack of proper filtering for the class parameter, attackers can inject malicious class names that bypass normal validation checks. This allows attackers to manipulate the ClassLoader mechanism and ultimately execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically exploits the getClass method of ActionForm objects, where the class parameter can be passed directly without adequate sanitization, enabling attackers to leverage Java's reflection capabilities for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard HTTP requests containing malicious parameters, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. Organizations running affected versions of Apache Struts 1.x are at risk of full system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and complete service disruption, making it a prime target for both automated attacks and targeted cyber operations. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which describes the improper suppression of class properties in bean manipulation frameworks, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0114 require immediate action from organizations using affected software components. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to patched versions of Apache Commons BeanUtils, specifically versions 1.9.3 and later, which properly address the class property suppression issue. Organizations should also implement parameter validation at the application level, ensuring that all user input undergoes strict sanitization before being processed by bean population mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests containing suspicious class parameters, while application-level restrictions can prevent direct access to vulnerable ActionForm processing methods. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their application code to identify any custom implementations that might be susceptible to similar vulnerabilities, particularly those that directly use reflection-based object population without proper parameter filtering. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential for seemingly minor library flaws to create significant security risks in enterprise applications.