CVE-2017-7672: Struts2 core Apache Struts Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9gp7-jvm2-r4mx
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CVSS 5.9
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-7672 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.9) apache struts improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Struts2 core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache struts improper input validation vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.5.12.

CVE-2017-7672 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-7672
GHSA Identifier GHSA-9gp7-jvm2-r4mx
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.9
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Struts2 core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2017-7672

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: 2.5.12 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.struts</groupId>
    <artifactId>struts2-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.5.12</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-2017-7672, 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 2.5.12), 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

If an application allows enter an URL in a form field and built-in URLValidator is used, it is possible to prepare a special URL which will be used to overload server process when performing validation of the URL. Solution is to upgrade to Apache Struts version 2.5.12.

CVE-2017-7672 Affected Struts2 core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.5.12
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.struts:struts2-core
maven/org.apache.struts/struts2-core
Maven
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.12
2.5.12

References

NVD — CVE-2017-7672 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-7672
Struts2 core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/struts
lists.apache.org/thread.html/3795c4d... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3795c4dd46d9ec75f4a6eb9eca11c11edd3e796c6c1fd7b17b5dc50d@%3Cannouncements.struts.apache.org%3E
Struts2 core Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180706-0002
Struts2 core Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20170907215142/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039114
Struts2 core Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20200227144724/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99563
struts.apache.org/docs/s2-047.html WEB
http://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-047.html
Struts2 core Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-7672?
CVE-2017-7672 is a security vulnerability in Struts2 core involving Apache Struts Improper Input Validation vulnerability under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Struts2 core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.5.12 across affected packages: org.apache.struts:struts2-core.
What version fixes CVE-2017-7672?
Upgrading to 2.5.12 (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 2.5.12. Upgrade your dependency to 2.5.12 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-7672?
CVE-2017-7672 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-7672?
CVE-2017-7672 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-2017-7672?
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-9gp7-jvm2-r4mx",
  "modified" : "2024-01-04T23:08:58Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-16T19:36:43Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-7672" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Struts Improper Input Validation vulnerability",
  "details" : "If an application allows enter an URL in a form field and built-in URLValidator is used, it is possible to prepare a special URL which will be used to overload server process when performing validation of the URL. Solution is to upgrade to Apache Struts version 2.5.12.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.struts:struts2-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.5.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.5.12"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-7672"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/3795c4dd46d9ec75f4a6eb9eca11c11edd3e796c6c1fd7b17b5dc50d@%3Cannouncements.struts.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180706-0002"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20170907215142/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039114"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20200227144724/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99563"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-047.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:28:35Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}