Apache Struts up to 2.3.34/2.5.16 Namespace input validation

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6.7	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apache Struts up to 2.3.34/2.5.16. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Namespace Handler. This manipulation causes input validation. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2018-11776. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apache Struts up to 2.3.34/2.5.16 (Programming Tool Software). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Namespace Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

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.

The bug was discovered 08/22/2018. The weakness was published 08/22/2018 by Man Yue Mo with Semmle (Website). The advisory is shared at cwiki.apache.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2018-11776 since 06/05/2018. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed by Mazin Ahmed (mazen160) and been published 3 days after the advisory. It is possible to download the exploit at github.com. It is declared as attacked. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 112064 (Apache Struts CVE-2018-11776 Results With No Namespace Remote Code Execution (S2-057) (remote)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CGI abuses and running in the context r. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 316314 (Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM And Presence Service Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Vulnerability( cisco-sa-20180823-apache-struts)). The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 11/03/2021 with a due date of 05/03/2022:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (45262), Tenable (112064) and SecurityFocus (BID 105125†). Similar entries are available at VDB-125531, VDB-129459 and VDB-158218. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Tool Software

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• Struts

Version

• 2.3.0
• 2.3.1
• 2.3.2
• 2.3.3
• 2.3.4
• 2.3.5
• 2.3.6
• 2.3.7
• 2.3.8
• 2.3.9
• 2.3.10
• 2.3.11
• 2.3.12
• 2.3.13
• 2.3.14
• 2.3.15
• 2.3.16
• 2.3.17
• 2.3.18
• 2.3.19
• 2.3.20
• 2.3.21
• 2.3.22
• 2.3.23
• 2.3.24
• 2.3.25
• 2.3.26
• 2.3.27
• 2.3.28
• 2.3.29
• 2.3.30
• 2.3.31
• 2.3.32
• 2.3.33
• 2.3.34
• 2.5.0
• 2.5.1
• 2.5.2
• 2.5.3
• 2.5.4
• 2.5.5
• 2.5.6
• 2.5.7
• 2.5.8
• 2.5.9
• 2.5.10
• 2.5.11
• 2.5.12
• 2.5.13
• 2.5.14
• 2.5.15
• 2.5.16

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.7

VulDB Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Temp Score: 5.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.1
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Attacked
Author: Mazin Ahmed (mazen160)
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

KEV Added: 🔍
KEV Due: 🔍
KEV Remediation: 🔍
KEV Ransomware: 🔍
KEV Notice: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 112064
Nessus Name: Apache Struts CVE-2018-11776 Results With No Namespace Remote Code Execution (S2-057) (remote)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Saint ID: struts_namespace
Saint Name: Apache Struts undefined namespace vulnerability

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

MetaSploit ID: struts2_namespace_ognl.rb
MetaSploit Name: Apache Struts 2 Namespace Redirect OGNL Injection
MetaSploit File: 🔍

D2Sec: Apache Struts 2 Multiple Tags Result Namespace Handling RCE

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍
Suricata ID: 2026025
Suricata Class: 🔍
Suricata Message: 🔍

Timelineinfo

06/05/2018 🔍
08/22/2018 +78 days 🔍
08/22/2018 +0 days 🔍
08/22/2018 +0 days 🔍
08/22/2018 +0 days 🔍
08/22/2018 +0 days 🔍
08/23/2018 +1 days 🔍
08/23/2018 +0 days 🔍
08/25/2018 +2 days 🔍
10/27/2025 +2620 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apache.org

Advisory: cwiki.apache.org
Researcher: Man Yue Mo
Organization: Semmle
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2018-11776 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2018-11776
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-123145
SecurityFocus: 105125 - Apache Struts CVE-2018-11776 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
SecurityTracker: 1041547

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/23/2018 06:42
Updated: 10/27/2025 18:55
Changes: 08/23/2018 06:42 (75), 08/27/2018 07:30 (2), 08/27/2018 07:31 (4), 08/27/2018 07:32 (1), 03/18/2020 13:21 (16), 05/04/2023 10:00 (7), 04/20/2024 14:25 (27), 07/25/2024 17:46 (1), 09/09/2024 22:29 (1), 10/27/2025 18:55 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Submitter: edward.zhong
Committer: Simon
Cache ID: 216::103

Submitinfo

Accepted

• Submit #33: Apache Struts2 S2-057 (by edward.zhong)

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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