CVE-2012-0391KEV · OVERDUE

Apache Struts 2 Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

Critical · published January 8, 2012

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it critical at 9.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 99.5th percentile for exploit probability.

1555
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
76%
Percentile
99.5
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A single malicious parameter is all it takes to execute arbitrary Java code! With Apache Struts versions before 2.2.3.1, attackers can exploit the ExceptionDelegator component like a magician pulling rabbits from a hat. 🔥 Think of this vulnerability as a sneaky chef accepting any recipe submitted on a napkin, without checking for ingredients. If someone hands them a recipe for a dish that should never be served, the kitchen could end up dangerously chaotic, serving up who-knows-what! An attacker could gain complete control of the server, allowing them to read sensitive information, alter data, or even disrupt services entirely. The chaos this could create could be absolutely devastating for any organization relying on this framework!

Put simply

Think of this vulnerability as a sneaky chef accepting any recipe submitted on a napkin, without checking for ingredients. If someone hands them a recipe for a dish that should never be served, the kitchen could end up dangerously chaotic, serving up who-knows-what! This vulnerability in Apache Struts allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via crafted OGNL expressions during exception handling for mismatched data types. It essentially misinterprets input parameters, leading to serious security breaches.

What to do

An attacker could gain complete control of the server, allowing them to read sensitive information, alter data, or even disrupt services entirely. The chaos this could create could be absolutely devastating for any organization relying on this framework! Immediate action is critical: upgrade Apache Struts to version 2.2.3.1 or later to patch this vulnerability. Additionally, review your configurations to ensure only trusted input is processed, and consider implementing a comprehensive security audit. Don't wait! You’ve got this! Following these steps will make your system much more secure. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.75599 · 99.5th percentile
Published
2012-01-08T15:00Z
KEV added
2022-01-21 · due 2022-07-21
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 21 JAN 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Jul 21
    kev
  • 08 JAN 15:00Z
    The ExceptionDelegator component in Apache Struts before 2.2.3.1 interprets parameter values as OGNL expressions during certain exception handling for…
    cvelistv5