CVE-2009-1275: Tiles core Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-2c6q-rgvj-66rx
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CWE-917 CWE-87
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2009-1275 is a MODERATE cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')) affecting Tiles core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache tiles vulnerable to xss via el expression injection. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.1.2.

CVE-2009-1275 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2009-1275
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2c6q-rgvj-66rx
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')
Affected Product Tiles core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2009-1275

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Tiles core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.tiles:tiles-core fixed: 2.1.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.tiles</groupId>
    <artifactId>tiles-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.1.2</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tiles

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2009-1275, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tiles

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Tiles core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.1.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tiles command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an expression language (el) statement in a framework such as a java server page (jsp) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended el statement before it is executed. In Tiles core, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Apache Tiles 2.1 before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, evaluates Expression Language (EL) expressions twice in certain circumstances, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks or obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, related to the (1) `tiles:putAttribute` and (2) `tiles:insertTemplate` JSP tags.

CVE-2009-1275 Affected Tiles core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.1.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.tiles:tiles-core
maven/org.apache.tiles/tiles-core
Maven
≥ 2.1
< 2.1.2
2.1.2

References

NVD — CVE-2009-1275 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-1275
Tiles core Security Information SECURITY
http://svn.apache.org/viewvc/tiles/framework/trunk/src/site/apt/security/security-bulletin-1.apt?revision=741913

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-1275?
CVE-2009-1275 is a security vulnerability in Tiles core involving Apache Tiles Vulnerable to XSS via EL Expression Injection under CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection').
Which Tiles core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.1.2 across affected packages: org.apache.tiles:tiles-core.
What version fixes CVE-2009-1275?
Upgrading to 2.1.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tiles-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.tiles:tiles-core is affected in releases prior to 2.1.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.1.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2009-1275?
CVE-2009-1275 is classified under CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an expression language (EL) statement in a framework such as a Java Server Page (JSP) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended EL statement before it is executed.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2009-1275?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.tiles'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2c6q-rgvj-66rx",
  "modified" : "2024-01-23T18:19:44Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-02T03:23:16Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2009-1275" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Tiles Vulnerable to XSS via EL Expression Injection",
  "details" : "Apache Tiles 2.1 before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, evaluates Expression Language (EL) expressions twice in certain circumstances, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks or obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, related to the (1) `tiles:putAttribute` and (2) `tiles:insertTemplate` JSP tags.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.tiles:tiles-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.1.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-1275"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://svn.apache.org/viewvc/tiles/framework/trunk/src/site/apt/security/security-bulletin-1.apt?revision=741913"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-87", "CWE-917" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-01-23T18:19:44Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2009-04-09T15:08:00Z"
  }
}