CVE-2016-1181 in Communications Network Integrity
Summary
by MITRE
ActionServlet.java in Apache Struts 1 1.x through 1.3.10 mishandles multithreaded access to an ActionForm instance, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (unexpected memory access) via a multipart request, a related issue to CVE-2015-0899.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1181 represents a critical multithreading flaw within the Apache Struts 1 framework that specifically affects versions 1.1 through 1.3.10. This issue resides in the ActionServlet.java component which governs the core request processing mechanism for Struts applications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of concurrent access to ActionForm instances during multipart request processing, creating a dangerous race condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when multiple threads attempt to access the same ActionForm instance simultaneously during multipart request processing. This race condition manifests when the framework fails to properly synchronize access to shared form state objects, allowing threads to interfere with each other's operations. The flaw specifically exploits the multipart request handling logic where the ActionServlet does not adequately protect shared ActionForm instances from concurrent modification, leading to unpredictable memory access patterns that can result in memory corruption or unauthorized code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations running affected Apache Struts 1 applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain remote code execution capabilities on vulnerable systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. The denial of service aspect further compounds the risk by allowing attackers to destabilize applications through memory access violations. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2015-0899 indicates a broader pattern of multithreading issues within the Struts framework that require comprehensive remediation approaches.
The security implications extend beyond simple exploitation as this vulnerability can be chained with other attacks to escalate privileges or establish persistent access. Organizations utilizing affected Struts versions face heightened risk given the framework's widespread adoption in enterprise applications. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-362, which addresses race conditions in multithreaded environments, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution. Mitigation strategies should include immediate version upgrades to patched Struts 1.3.11 or later, implementation of proper thread synchronization mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious multipart request patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Struts applications to identify potential exploitation vectors and implement proper input validation to minimize attack surface.