CVE-2018-1327 Apache Struts REST Plugin can potentially allow a DoS attack

What is CVE-2018-1327?

CVE-2018-1327 is a high-severity denial of service vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 27 Mar 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

The Apache Struts REST Plugin is using XStream library which is vulnerable and allow perform a DoS attack when using a malicious request with specially crafted XML payload. Upgrade to the Apache Struts version 2.5.16 and switch to an optional Jackson XML handler as described here http://struts.apache.org/plugins/rest/#custom-contenttypehandlers. Another option is to implement a custom XML handler based on the Jackson XML handler from the Apache Struts 2.5.16.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-1327?

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

Products include Apache Struts.

How do I fix CVE-2018-1327?

Upgrade org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin to 2.5.16 or later.

Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.

Is CVE-2018-1327 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-1327 in the wild and no public exploit code.

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-38cr-2ph5-frr9.