Medium

Improper Access Control in Apache Struts Aware Interfaces

IdentifiersCVE-2011-5057CWE-862

CVE-2011-5057 is a vulnerability in Apache Struts 2.3.1.2 and earlier, as well as 2.3.19-2.3.23, where certain interfaces (SessionAware, RequestAware, ApplicationAware, ServletRequestAware, ServletResponseAware, and ParameterAware) do not properly restrict access to internal collections such as session and request. This allows remote attackers to manipulate runtime data values by sending crafted parameters to applications implementing these interfaces. The vulnerability arises from insufficient access control in the handling of these collections, potentially exposing sensitive application state to unauthorized modification.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

A remote attacker can modify runtime data values in the session, request, or application scope by sending crafted parameters to a vulnerable Struts application. This could lead to unauthorized actions, data tampering, privilege escalation, or other application-specific impacts depending on how the application uses these collections. The vulnerability does not directly enable code execution, but can be a stepping stone for further attacks.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

As an immediate mitigation, configure the Struts interceptor to block or sanitize user-supplied parameters that could modify session, request, or application collections. Audit application code for use of the affected interfaces and ensure that only authorized data sources can modify sensitive runtime data. Apply vendor patches as soon as they become available.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade to a fixed version of Apache Struts where access to these collections is properly restricted. Alternatively, configure the Struts interceptor to prevent access to sensitive collections from user-supplied parameters, as recommended by the vendor. Review application code to ensure that only trusted data is used to populate session, request, and application collections.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 1 candidate as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 1 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

Apache Software FoundationStrutsapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

No public activity tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

0 SOURCESView more in app

No public activity observed for this vulnerability.

What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity