CVE-2008-6504: Xwork Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wxw2-2mx5-c5qf
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CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2008-6504 is a MODERATE improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Xwork libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in opensymphony xwork. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.0.6, 2.1.2.

CVE-2008-6504 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2008-6504
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wxw2-2mx5-c5qf
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Xwork
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2008-6504

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

com.opensymphony:xwork fixed: 2.0.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.opensymphony</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwork</artifactId>
    <version>2.0.6</version>
</dependency>
com.opensymphony:xwork fixed: 2.1.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.opensymphony</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwork</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=com.opensymphony

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2008-6504, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.opensymphony

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Xwork in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.0.6), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.opensymphony 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-20: Improper Input Validation, where 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. In Xwork, 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

ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to execute Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) statements and modify server-side context objects, as demonstrated by use of a \u0023 representation for the # character.

CVE-2008-6504 Affected Xwork Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.0.62.1.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
com.opensymphony:xwork
maven/com.opensymphony/xwork
Maven
< 2.0.6
2.0.6
com.opensymphony:xwork
maven/com.opensymphony/xwork
Maven
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.2
2.1.2

References

NVD — CVE-2008-6504 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-6504
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/463... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46328
fisheye6.atlassian.com/cru/cr-9 WEB
http://fisheye6.atlassian.com/cru/CR-9
issues.apache.org/struts/browse/ww-26... WEB
http://issues.apache.org/struts/browse/WW-2692
jira.opensymphony.com/browse/xw-641 WEB
http://jira.opensymphony.com/browse/XW-641
secunia.com/advisories/32495 WEB
http://secunia.com/advisories/32495
secunia.com/advisories/32497 WEB
http://secunia.com/advisories/32497
struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-003.htm... WEB
http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-003.html
web.archive.org/web/20081119232431/... WEB
http://web.archive.org/web/20081119232431/jira.opensymphony.com/browse/XW-641
web.archive.org/web/20130807023152/... WEB
http://web.archive.org/web/20130807023152/https://fisheye6.atlassian.com/cru/CR-9
Xwork Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32101
www.vupen.com/english/advisories/... WEB
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3003
www.vupen.com/english/advisories/... WEB
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3004

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2008-6504?
CVE-2008-6504 is a security vulnerability in Xwork involving Improper Input Validation in OpenSymphony XWork under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Xwork versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.6, 2.1.2 across affected packages: com.opensymphony:xwork.
What version fixes CVE-2008-6504?
Upgrading to 2.0.6, 2.1.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is xwork affected?
Yes, com.opensymphony:xwork is affected in releases prior to 2.0.6, 2.1.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.6, 2.1.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2008-6504?
CVE-2008-6504 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (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.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2008-6504?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.opensymphony'. 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-wxw2-2mx5-c5qf",
  "modified" : "2022-11-01T22:34:44Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-17T02:11:15Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2008-6504" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Input Validation in OpenSymphony XWork",
  "details" : "ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to execute Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) statements and modify server-side context objects, as demonstrated by use of a \\u0023 representation for the # character.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.opensymphony:xwork"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.0.6"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.opensymphony:xwork"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.1.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.1.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-6504"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46328"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://fisheye6.atlassian.com/cru/CR-9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://issues.apache.org/struts/browse/WW-2692"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://jira.opensymphony.com/browse/XW-641"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://secunia.com/advisories/32495"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://secunia.com/advisories/32497"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.x/docs/s2-003.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://web.archive.org/web/20081119232431/jira.opensymphony.com/browse/XW-641"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://web.archive.org/web/20130807023152/https://fisheye6.atlassian.com/cru/CR-9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32101"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3003"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3004"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-11-01T22:34:44Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2009-03-23T14:19:00Z"
  }
}