CVE-2012-0394: Xwork core Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-hmvj-gc9q-mg9p
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CWE-94
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-0394 is a MODERATE remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')) affecting Xwork core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache struts's debugginginterceptor component allows remote code execution in developer mode. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.3.18.

CVE-2012-0394 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-0394
GHSA Identifier GHSA-hmvj-gc9q-mg9p
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Affected Product Xwork core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-0394

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Xwork 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.xwork:xwork-core fixed: 2.3.18 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.struts.xwork</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwork-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.3.18</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.xwork

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2012-0394, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Xwork core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.3.18), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts.xwork 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-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment. In Xwork 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 DebuggingInterceptor component in Apache Struts before 2.3.1.1, when developer mode is used, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors. NOTE: the vendor characterizes this behavior as not "a security vulnerability itself."

CVE-2012-0394 Affected Xwork core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.3.18
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core
maven/org.apache.struts.xwork/xwork-core
Maven
< 2.3.18
2.3.18

References

NVD — CVE-2012-0394 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0394
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/34c80dae734e70f13c0e46f9c83602fb71318e58
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/9cad25f258bb2629d263f828574d2671366c238d
Xwork core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/struts
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/ww-3729 WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3729
www.sec-consult.com/files/20120104-0_ap... WEB
https://www.sec-consult.com/files/20120104-0_Apache_Struts2_Multiple_Critical_Vulnerabilities.txt
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
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/31434 WEB
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/31434

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-0394?
CVE-2012-0394 is a security vulnerability in Xwork core involving Apache Struts's DebuggingInterceptor component allows remote code execution in developer mode under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection').
Which Xwork core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.3.18 across affected packages: org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core.
What version fixes CVE-2012-0394?
Upgrading to 2.3.18 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is xwork-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core is affected in releases prior to 2.3.18. Upgrade your dependency to 2.3.18 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-0394?
CVE-2012-0394 is classified under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-0394?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts.xwork'. 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-hmvj-gc9q-mg9p",
  "modified" : "2024-03-05T19:29:51Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-04T00:29:43Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-0394" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Struts's DebuggingInterceptor component allows remote code execution in developer mode",
  "details" : "The DebuggingInterceptor component in Apache Struts before 2.3.1.1, when developer mode is used, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors.  NOTE: the vendor characterizes this behavior as not \"a security vulnerability itself.\"",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.3.18"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0394"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/34c80dae734e70f13c0e46f9c83602fb71318e58"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/9cad25f258bb2629d263f828574d2671366c238d"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3729"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.sec-consult.com/files/20120104-0_Apache_Struts2_Multiple_Critical_Vulnerabilities.txt"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2012-01/0031.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-008.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/version-notes-2311.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18329"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/31434"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-94" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-12-27T20:24:30Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-01-08T15:55:00Z"
  }
}