CVE-2017-12611 Apache Struts 2.0.1 uses an unintentional expression in a Freemarker tag instead of string literal

What is CVE-2017-12611?

CVE-2017-12611 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 20 Sep 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.10.1, using an unintentional expression in a Freemarker tag instead of string literals can lead to a RCE attack.

Weakness: CWE-20

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-12611?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts2-core. It affects 1 product.

Products include Apache Struts.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12611?

Upgrade org.apache.struts:struts2-core to a fixed version for your release line: 2.3.34 or 2.5.11.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2017-12611 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-12611 exists.

Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry, 1 Nuclei template and 3 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Other vulnerabilities in Apache Struts

• CVE-2020-17530 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2017-9791 Apache Struts 1 Improper Input Validation Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2017-5638 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2012-0391 Apache Struts 2 Improper Input Validation Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2018-11776 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited High 8.1

All Apache Struts vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-8fx9-5hx8-crhm.