Critical Description
Update dependency on commons-beanutils:commons-beanutils to v1.9.2 and mitigate CVE-2014-0114. See BEANUTILS-463 for fix info.
Velocity Tools v2.0 currently uses bean-utils v1.7.0
Whilst the CVE text references beanutils v1.8.0, Black Duck Hub threat analysis have updated affected versions to include 1.7.0.
Apache Commons BeanUtils, as distributed in lib/commons-beanutils-1.8.0.jar in Apache Struts 1.x through 1.3.10 and in other products requiring commons-beanutils through 1.9.2, does not suppress the class property, which allows remote attackers to "manipulate" the ClassLoader and execute arbitrary code via the class parameter, as demonstrated by the passing of this parameter to the getClass method of the ActionForm object in Struts 1.
CVSS Version 2 Metrics:
Access Vector: Network exploitable
Access Complexity: Low
Authentication: Not required to exploit
Impact Type:
- Allows unauthorized disclosure of information
- Allows unauthorized modification
- Allows disruption of service
Edit: 28th November 2016
Sonatype Nexus IQ identifies beanutils as a threat as of v1.24 (late November 2016). From the vulnerability information provided (and highlighting in red the bit that applies to Velocity Tools):
Explanation
Apache Commons BeanUtils is vulnerable to ClassLoader manipulation which can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE). Access to the class and Class properties is not suppressed, exposing them by default. An attacker can construct malicious input using the class property in order to manipulate the ClassLoader potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
Detection
If you are the calling application, you are vulnerable by running this component without filtering the property names class and Class. If this is a transitive dependency, you will want to contact the parent project to ensure they have added a mitigating control.
Note: If you are using the built-in implementation of SuppressPropertiesBeanIntrospector added in version 1.9.2 of commons-beanutils as your mitigation you are still vulnerable. Although the built-in implementation specifically suppresses the class properly, it does not also suppress Class.
Recommendation
Although commons-beanutils offers a built-in implementation of SuppressPropertiesBeanIntrospector in version 1.9.2 that specifically suppresses the “class” properly, it does not also suppress “Class”. Due to this insufficient fix which is also not enabled by default, we recommend implementing your own custom mitigating control such as the one found here -