ID: IRCNE2013081924
Date: 2013-08-17
According to "computerworld", Chinese hackers are using an automated tool to exploit known vulnerabilities in Apache Struts, in order to install backdoors on servers hosting applications developed with the framework.
Apache Struts is a popular open-source framework for developing Java-based Web applications that's maintained by the Apache Software Foundation.
Several security updates were released for Struts this year, including last month, to address highly critical vulnerabilities that could enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on Web servers running applications built with the framework.
Hackers have since taken notice and are now actively exploiting those flaws, according to researchers from security firm Trend Micro.
The tool exploits the following Struts vulnerabilities to compromise servers: S2-016 (CVE-2013-2251), which was patched in Struts 2.3.15.1 on July 16; S2-013 (CVE-2013-1966), patched in Struts 2.3.14.1 on May 22; S2-009 (CVE-2011-3923), patched in Struts 2.3.1.2 on Jan. 22, 2012; and S2-005 (CVE-2010-1870), patched in Struts 2.2.1 on Aug. 16, 2010.
"We have observed attacks against Asian targets using this specific hacking tool, which indicates these Struts flaws are being actively exploited by potential threat actors in the wild," he said.
Once hackers break into a Linux-based or Windows-based server using the Struts attack tool, they can execute pre-configured commands in order to extract information about the server's operating system, directory structure, active users and network configuration.
The tool also allows attackers to plant a so-called Web shell that acts as a backdoor, giving them persistent access to the servers to execute other commands and use them as they see fit, Hayashi said.
Upgrading to the latest version is strongly recommended, Hayashi said. "The potential risks from a successful attack outweigh the inconvenience of modifying any deployed apps."
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