# CVE-2018-12533: Arbitrary code execution in Richfaces > Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary Java code in JBoss RichFaces by injecting expression language via a specific path substring. - **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`) - **Exploited in the wild:** Not known - **Login needed:** Not needed - **Attackable:** Over the internet - **Victim action needed:** Not needed - **Fix available:** Yes - **Published:** 18 Jun 2018 - **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024 - **Also known as:** CVE-2018-10849, GHSA-4j38-wjhf-884r, RHSA-2018:2664 ## What is CVE-2018-12533? CVE-2018-12533 is a critical code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 18 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. ### Official description JBoss RichFaces 3.1.0 through 3.3.4 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to inject expression language (EL) expressions and execute arbitrary Java code via a /DATA/ substring in a path with an org.richfaces.renderkit.html.Paint2DResource$ImageData object, aka RF-14310. Weakness: CWE-917 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement) ## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-12533? 2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.richfaces:richfaces-core. It affects 1 product. | Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `org.richfaces:richfaces-core` | Maven | From 3.1.0 to 3.3.4 | None | | `org.richfaces:richfaces-core` | Maven | From 3.1.0 to 3.3.4 | None | | `richfaces` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-cdk` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-demo` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-docs` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-framework` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-root` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces-ui` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el5 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-7.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el5 | | `richfaces` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el6 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-4.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el6_10 | | `richfaces-demo` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el6 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-4.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el6_10 | | `richfaces-framework` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el6 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-4.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el6_10 | | `richfaces-root` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el6 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-4.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el6_10 | | `richfaces-ui` | Red Hat:jboss_enterprise_application_platform:5::el6 | All versions | 0:3.3.1-4.SP3_patch_02.ep5.el6_10 | Products: Redhat Richfaces. ## How do I fix CVE-2018-12533? Apply the vendor's patch. ## Is CVE-2018-12533 being exploited? There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-12533 in the wild and no public exploit code. Public exploit code: - RF-14310 / CVE-2018-12533 - Payload generator (github_poc): https://github.com/llamaonsecurity/CVE-2018-12533 - https://github.com/Pastea/CVE-2018-12533 (github_poc): https://github.com/Pastea/CVE-2018-12533 - https://github.com/mhagnumdw/richfaces-vulnerability-cve-2018-12533-rf-14310 (github_poc): https://github.com/mhagnumdw/richfaces-vulnerability-cve-2018-12533-rf-14310 - Simplest and most reliable RichFaces Paint2DResource CVE-2018-12533 RF-14310 exploit PoC (github_poc): https://github.com/LucasKatashi/paint2die - Deliberately vulnerable CTF lab reproducing CVE-2018-12533 (RichFaces Paint2DResource EL injection) end to end. (github_poc): https://github.com/arslanben/richfaces-paint2d-lab ## Other vulnerabilities in n/a - [CVE-2018-12532](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-12532/): RichFaces vulnerable to Expression Language Injection (critical 9.8) - [CVE-2015-0279](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-0279/): Code injection in n/a (medium 6.8) ## Fix prompt for AI coding agents ```text Check this codebase for CVE-2018-12533 and fix it if it is affected. What it is: CVE-2018-12533 is a critical code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 18 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-12533 in the wild and no public exploit code. Affected packages and fixed versions: - org.richfaces:richfaces-core (Maven): affected from 3.1.0 up to 3.3.4; no fix listed - org.richfaces:richfaces-core (Maven): affected from 3.1.0 up to 3.3.4; 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-2018-12533/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-12533/index.md) ``` ## Sources - CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-12533 - NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12533 - OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-12533 --- From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-12533/ Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.