CVE-2018-11776 in Enterprise Manager Base Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Struts versions 2.3 to 2.3.34 and 2.5 to 2.5.16 suffer from possible Remote Code Execution when alwaysSelectFullNamespace is true (either by user or a plugin like Convention Plugin) and then: results are used with no namespace and in same time, its upper package have no or wildcard namespace and similar to results, same possibility when using url tag which doesn't have value and action set and in same time, its upper package have no or wildcard namespace.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
Apache Struts remote code execution vulnerability CVE-2018-11776 represents a critical security flaw that affects versions 2.3.0 through 2.3.34 and 2.5.0 through 2.5.16 of the Apache Struts web framework. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of namespace resolution within the framework's action mapping and result processing mechanisms, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the alwaysSelectFullNamespace configuration parameter is enabled, either through direct user configuration or via plugins such as the Convention Plugin that automatically set this parameter. When this condition is met alongside specific result and URL tag configurations, the vulnerability becomes exploitable.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper resolution of action namespaces within the Struts framework's internal processing pipeline. When alwaysSelectFullNamespace is enabled, the framework attempts to resolve full action names including their complete namespace paths. However, the vulnerability occurs in scenarios where action results are processed without explicit namespace specification while the parent package contains either no namespace or a wildcard namespace definition. This creates a namespace resolution ambiguity that allows attackers to manipulate the framework's behavior through carefully crafted input parameters. The same vulnerability pattern applies to url tags that lack explicit value and action attributes when processed within packages that have no or wildcard namespace declarations, effectively creating multiple attack vectors within the same underlying flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11776 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations running affected Apache Struts versions. Successful exploitation enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application user, which typically corresponds to the application server's user context. This remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where Struts applications are commonly deployed. Organizations with web applications using vulnerable Struts versions face significant risk of compromise, especially if these applications are accessible from the internet or exposed to untrusted network traffic.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Struts versions 2.3.35 and 2.5.17 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive inventory assessment to identify all systems running vulnerable Struts versions, followed by immediate patching or upgrading of affected applications. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to Struts applications and monitoring for suspicious request patterns can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also review their application configurations to ensure that the alwaysSelectFullNamespace parameter is not inadvertently enabled in production environments, and that proper namespace handling is implemented throughout the application's action mapping and result processing flows. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through web applications, highlighting the critical nature of timely remediation and the potential for significant security impact across enterprise environments.