CVE-2012-0392: Struts2 core Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2012-0392?

CVE-2012-0392 is a security vulnerability in Struts2 core involving Apache Struts's CookieInterceptor component does not use the parameter-name whitelist under General Security Weakness.

Q: Which Struts2 core versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.2.3.1 across affected packages: org.apache.struts:struts2-core, org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2012-0392?

Upgrading to 2.2.3.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is struts2-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.struts:struts2-core is affected in releases prior to 2.2.3.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.2.3.1 or later.

Q: Is xwork-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core is affected in releases prior to 2.2.3.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.2.3.1 or later.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-0392?

CVE-2012-0392 is classified under General Security Weakness.

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-0392?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

MODERATE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7

Published 2022-05-04

Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-0392 is a MODERATE remote code execution vulnerability (General Security Weakness) affecting Struts2 core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache struts's cookieinterceptor component does not use the parameter-name whitelist. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.2.3.1.

CVE-2012-0392 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-0392

GHSA Identifier GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A

CWE Classification General Security Weakness

Affected Product Struts2 core

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2022-05-04

Last Updated 2023-12-27

How to Fix CVE-2012-0392

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Struts2 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.struts:struts2-core fixed: 2.2.3.1

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.struts</groupId>
    <artifactId>struts2-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.2.3.1</version>
</dependency>

org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core fixed: 2.2.3.1

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.struts.xwork</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwork-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.2.3.1</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.struts

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2012-0392, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Struts2 core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.2.3.1), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts 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 General Security Weakness. In Struts2 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

The CookieInterceptor component in Apache Struts before 2.3.1.1 does not use the parameter-name whitelist, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted HTTP Cookie header that triggers Java code execution through a static method.

CVE-2012-0392 Affected Struts2 core Versions

2 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

2.2.3.1

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.apache.struts:struts2-core maven/org.apache.struts/struts2-core	Maven	< 2.2.3.1	2.2.3.1
org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core maven/org.apache.struts.xwork/xwork-core	Maven	< 2.2.3.1	2.2.3.1

References

NVD — CVE-2012-0392 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0392

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/25e50069d60434a30395e3a98357ffba2bed427e

Struts2 core Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/apache/struts

lists.immunityinc.com/pipermail/dailydave... WEB

https://lists.immunityinc.com/pipermail/dailydave/2012-January/000011.html

web.archive.org/web/20120612142634/... WEB

https://web.archive.org/web/20120612142634/https://sec-consult.com/files/20120104-0_Apache_Struts2_Multiple_Critical_Vulnerabilities.txt

web.archive.org/web/20140723153720/... WEB

https://web.archive.org/web/20140723153720/http://secunia.com/advisories/47393

archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/20... WEB

http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2012-01/0031.html

struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-008.htm... WEB

http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-008.html

struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/version-no... WEB

http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/version-notes-2311.html

www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18329 WEB

http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18329

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-0392?

CVE-2012-0392 is a security vulnerability in Struts2 core involving Apache Struts's CookieInterceptor component does not use the parameter-name whitelist under General Security Weakness.

Which Struts2 core versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.2.3.1 across affected packages: org.apache.struts:struts2-core, org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core.

What version fixes CVE-2012-0392?

Upgrading to 2.2.3.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is struts2-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.struts:struts2-core is affected in releases prior to 2.2.3.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.2.3.1 or later.

Is xwork-core affected?

Yes, org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core is affected in releases prior to 2.2.3.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.2.3.1 or later.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-0392?

CVE-2012-0392 is classified under General Security Weakness.

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-0392?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts'. 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

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  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7",
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  "published" : "2022-05-04T00:29:43Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-0392" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Struts's CookieInterceptor component does not use the parameter-name whitelist",
  "details" : "The CookieInterceptor component in Apache Struts before 2.3.1.1 does not use the parameter-name whitelist, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted HTTP Cookie header that triggers Java code execution through a static method.",
  "severity" : [ ],
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  "references" : [ {
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  }, {
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    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.immunityinc.com/pipermail/dailydave/2012-January/000011.html"
  }, {
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20140723153720/http://secunia.com/advisories/47393"
  }, {
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    "url" : "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2012-01/0031.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/version-notes-2311.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18329"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-12-27T20:13:27Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-01-08T15:55:00Z"
  }
}

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2022-05-04 00:29
Last Modified: 2023-12-27 20:13
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2022/05/GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7/GHSA-2ppp-xj34-vvf7.json