CVE-2012-0838: Struts2 core Apache Struts Code Injection Due Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-mwrx-hx6x-3hhv
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CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-0838 is a HIGH apache struts code injection due vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Struts2 core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache struts code injection due to conversion error. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.2.3.1.

CVE-2012-0838 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-0838
GHSA Identifier GHSA-mwrx-hx6x-3hhv
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Struts2 core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-0838

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-2012-0838, 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 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 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

Apache Struts 2 before 2.2.3.1 evaluates a string as an OGNL expression during the handling of a conversion error, which allows remote attackers to modify run-time data values, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via invalid input to a field.

CVE-2012-0838 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-2012-0838 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0838
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/25e50069d60434a30395e3a98357ffba2bed427e
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/5f54b8d087f5125d96838aafa5f64c2190e6885b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/b4265d369dc29d57a9f2846a85b26598e83f3892
Struts2 core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/struts
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/ww-3668 WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3668
jvn.jp/en/jp/jvn79099262/i... WEB
http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN79099262/index.html
jvndb.jvn.jp/jvndb/jvndb-2012-00... WEB
http://jvndb.jvn.jp/jvndb/JVNDB-2012-000012
struts.apache.org/2.3.1.2/docs/s2-007... WEB
http://struts.apache.org/2.3.1.2/docs/s2-007.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-0838?
CVE-2012-0838 is a security vulnerability in Struts2 core involving Apache Struts Code injection due to conversion error under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
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-2012-0838?
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-2012-0838?
CVE-2012-0838 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-2012-0838?
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 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-mwrx-hx6x-3hhv",
  "modified" : "2023-08-14T22:39:42Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-14T01:51:59Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-0838" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Struts Code injection due to conversion error",
  "details" : "Apache Struts 2 before 2.2.3.1 evaluates a string as an OGNL expression during the handling of a conversion error, which allows remote attackers to modify run-time data values, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via invalid input to a field.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
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      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.struts:struts2-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.2.3.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.2.3.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0838"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/25e50069d60434a30395e3a98357ffba2bed427e"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/5f54b8d087f5125d96838aafa5f64c2190e6885b"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/b4265d369dc29d57a9f2846a85b26598e83f3892"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-3668"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN79099262/index.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://jvndb.jvn.jp/jvndb/JVNDB-2012-000012"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/2.3.1.2/docs/s2-007.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-11-03T23:00:54Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-03-02T22:55:00Z"
  }
}