# CVE-2005-3745: Apache Struts Cross-site scripting Vulnerability

> Remote attackers can inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string in Apache Struts, potentially leading to session hijacking or malicious actions.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Nov 2005
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9cjh-qmvx-436c

## What is CVE-2005-3745?

CVE-2005-3745 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 22 Nov 2005. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Struts 1.2.7, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string, which is not properly quoted or filtered when the request handler generates an error message.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2005-3745?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts-core. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.struts:struts-core` | Maven | All versions to 1.2.7 | None |
| `org.apache.struts:struts-core` | Maven | All versions to 1.2.7 | None |

Products: Apache Struts.

## How do I fix CVE-2005-3745?

No fix has been published for CVE-2005-3745 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2005-3745 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2005-3745 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache Struts 1.2.7 - Error Response Cross-Site Scripting (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Struts

- [CVE-2020-17530](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-17530/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-9791](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9791/): Apache Struts 1 Improper Input Validation (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-5638](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5638/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-0391](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0391/): Apache Struts 2 Improper Input Validation (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-11776](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11776/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2005-3745 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2005-3745 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 22 Nov 2005. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2005-3745 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.struts:struts-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.2.7; no fix listed
- org.apache.struts:struts-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.2.7; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-3745/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-3745/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2005-3745
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2005-3745
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2005-3745

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-3745/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.