CVE-2017-15707 in Struts
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Struts 2.5 to 2.5.14, the REST Plugin is using an outdated JSON-lib library which is vulnerable and allow perform a DoS attack using malicious request with specially crafted JSON payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15707 affects Apache Struts versions 2.5 through 2.5.14 and specifically targets the REST Plugin component. This issue stems from the plugin's reliance on an outdated JSON-lib library that contains known security flaws. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes maliciously crafted JSON payloads through the REST interface, creating a potential denial of service condition that can severely impact system availability and operational integrity.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of JSON data structures within the REST Plugin's processing pipeline. The outdated JSON-lib library lacks proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, allowing attackers to construct specific JSON payloads that trigger resource exhaustion or infinite loops within the processing engine. When these malicious requests are submitted to the vulnerable Struts application, the system becomes susceptible to denial of service conditions where computational resources are consumed excessively or processing becomes unresponsive. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard HTTP requests containing crafted JSON content, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15707 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire application stack. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to consume excessive CPU cycles, memory resources, or cause application crashes, effectively rendering the affected web service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered without authentication requirements, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation. Organizations running affected Struts versions face significant risk of service degradation or complete system unavailability, which can result in financial losses, reputational damage, and potential compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15707 primarily involve upgrading to Apache Struts version 2.5.15 or later, which includes the patched JSON-lib library and proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as rate limiting and request filtering to detect and block suspicious JSON payloads before they reach the application layer. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" within the context of application layer attacks. Regular security assessments and dependency audits are essential to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the application stack.