CVE-2012-4387: Xwork core Denial of Service Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-hrgc-54mv-58gv
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Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-4387 is a MODERATE denial of service vulnerability (General Security Weakness) affecting Xwork core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves denial of service in apache struts. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.3.4.1.

CVE-2012-4387 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-4387
GHSA Identifier GHSA-hrgc-54mv-58gv
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification General Security Weakness
Affected Product Xwork core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-4387

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: 2.3.4.1 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.struts.xwork</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwork-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.3.4.1</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.xwork

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2012-4387, 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 2.3.4.1), 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 General Security Weakness. 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

Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a long parameter name, which is processed as an OGNL expression.

CVE-2012-4387 Affected Xwork core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.3.4.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core
maven/org.apache.struts.xwork/xwork-core
Maven
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.3.4.1
2.3.4.1

References

NVD — CVE-2012-4387 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-4387
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/80e03182d66d9e6ab18f9a9a9b3c42725a1c89e9
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/87935af56a27235e9399308ee1fcfb74f8edcefa
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/781... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/78183
Xwork core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/struts
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/ww-3860 WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3860
struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-011.htm... WEB
http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-011.html
Xwork core Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/01/4
Xwork core Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/01/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-4387?
CVE-2012-4387 is a security vulnerability in Xwork core involving Denial of service in Apache Struts under General Security Weakness.
Which Xwork core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.3.4.1 across affected packages: org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core.
What version fixes CVE-2012-4387?
Upgrading to 2.3.4.1 (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 2.3.4.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.3.4.1 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-4387?
CVE-2012-4387 is classified under General Security Weakness.
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-4387?
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-hrgc-54mv-58gv",
  "modified" : "2023-12-27T18:19:35Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-17T01:42:17Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-4387" ],
  "summary" : "Denial of service in Apache Struts",
  "details" : "Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a long parameter name, which is processed as an OGNL expression.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.3.4.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-4387"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/80e03182d66d9e6ab18f9a9a9b3c42725a1c89e9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/87935af56a27235e9399308ee1fcfb74f8edcefa"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/78183"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3860"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-011.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/01/4"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/01/5"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-11-03T19:12:17Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-09-05T23:55:00Z"
  }
}