Check Point Advisories

Apache Struts Classes Directory Traversal (CVE-2008-6505)

Vulnerability
Protection

Check Point Reference:	CPAI-2008-370
Date Published:	4 Oct 2009
Severity:	High
Last Updated:	Wednesday 17 February, 2016
Source:
Industry Reference:	CVE-2008-6505
Protection Provided by:	Security Gateway R81, R80, R77, R75
Who is Vulnerable?
Vulnerability Description	Apache Struts is a Java-based web application development framework. Unlike JSP and Servelets, Struts encourage good application design by enforcing MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture for separation of concerns like business logic (Model) from web-page design (View) and navigational code (Controller). There exists a directory traversal vulnerability in the Apache Struts. The vulnerability is due to an input validation error in Struts that does not properly sanitize the URI for directory traversal patterns. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to disclose or access arbitrary files on the vulnerable server. The target will not exhibit any unusual behaviour as a result of this attack. A successful attack will allow the attacker to gain access to restricted files. This may lead to disclosure of sensitive information.

Protection Overview

This protection will detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerabilityNote that in order for this defense to protect your Apache Struts Server, you will need to configure port 8080 (which is also the HTTP proxy port) to work with the HTTP protocol. You need to do the following:1. In the Services tree, click on TCP > HTTP_and_HTTPS_proxy. The TCP Service Properties window opens.2. Click on Advanced. Select the Protocol Type: HTTP.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your Security Gateway product to the latest IPS update. For information on how to update IPS, go to SBP-2006-05, click on Protection tab and select the version of your choice.

Security Gateway R80 / R77 / R75

In the IPS tab, click Protections and find the Apache Struts Classes Directory Traversal protection using the Search tool and Edit the protection's settings.
Install policy on all Security Gateways.

This protection's log will contain the following information:

Attack Name: Apache Server Protection Violation.
Attack Information: Apache Struts Classes directory traversal