CVE-2016-3081 in FLEXCUBE Private Banking
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Struts 2.x before 2.3.20.2, 2.3.24.x before 2.3.24.2, and 2.3.28.x before 2.3.28.1, when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via method: prefix, related to chained expressions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
Apache Struts 2 represents a widely adopted Java web application framework that facilitates rapid development of enterprise web applications through its robust MVC architecture and extensive plugin ecosystem. The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3081 specifically targets the Dynamic Method Invocation feature that enables developers to invoke methods dynamically through URL parameters. This functionality, while providing flexibility in web application development, introduces significant security risks when improperly configured or when the framework fails to adequately sanitize input parameters.
The technical flaw resides in the framework's insufficient validation of method names within URL parameters when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain method: prefixes followed by chained expressions designed to execute arbitrary code on the target server. The vulnerability stems from the framework's failure to properly escape or validate method names passed through the parameter processing pipeline, allowing attackers to inject malicious method calls that bypass normal access controls and execute unintended operations. This issue manifests as a remote code execution vulnerability that operates through the standard HTTP request processing mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server with the privileges of the application server process, potentially enabling full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Struts 2 framework, creating widespread exposure across organizations that have not yet updated their applications to patched versions. The chained expression mechanism allows for complex attack payloads that can bypass traditional security controls and detection mechanisms, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where applications may be running on outdated framework versions.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for Apache Struts 2 versions affected by this vulnerability, specifically updating to versions 2.3.20.2, 2.3.24.2, and 2.3.28.1 or later. The recommended mitigation strategy includes disabling Dynamic Method Invocation when not strictly required, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all URL parameters, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all applications using Struts 2 to identify and remediate similar configuration issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing remote code execution vulnerabilities in web frameworks.