# CVE-2011-5057: Missing authorization in n/a

> Remote attackers can modify run-time data values in Apache Struts applications by exploiting improperly restricted access to session and request collections.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/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:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Jan 2012
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-x5vg-p6mw-ffv4

## What is CVE-2011-5057?

CVE-2011-5057 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 8 Jan 2012. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache Struts 2.3.1.2 and earlier, 2.3.19-2.3.23, provides interfaces that do not properly restrict access to collections such as the session and request collections, which might allow remote attackers to modify run-time data values via a crafted parameter to an application that implements an affected interface, as demonstrated by the SessionAware, RequestAware, ApplicationAware, ServletRequestAware, ServletResponseAware, and ParameterAware interfaces. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this report because of an "easy work-around in existing apps by configuring the interceptor."

Weakness: CWE-264

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-5057?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Struts.

## How do I fix CVE-2011-5057?

No fix has been published for CVE-2011-5057 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2011-5057 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-5057 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache Struts 2.0.9/2.1.8 - Session Tampering Security Bypass (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-2011-5057 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-5057 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 8 Jan 2012. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-5057 exists.

Affected product: Apache Struts. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2011-5057/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-5057/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-5057
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-5057
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-5057

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-5057/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.