CWE-103 Variante Brouillon

Struts: Incomplete validate() Method Definition

This vulnerability occurs in a Struts application when a validator form either completely omits a validate() method or includes one but fails to call super.validate() within it.

Définition

What is CWE-103?

This vulnerability occurs in a Struts application when a validator form either completely omits a validate() method or includes one but fails to call super.validate() within it.

In the Struts validation framework, the super.validate() call is essential because it triggers the framework's built-in validation logic. Without this call, the framework cannot process the validation rules defined for the form, effectively leaving the form's input unchecked and allowing potentially malicious or malformed data to proceed. As a result, the entire validation layer for that specific form is disabled, creating a security gap where attackers can bypass intended data checks. Developers must ensure every custom validate() method explicitly invokes super.validate() to maintain the security chain and enforce all configured validation constraints.

Impact réel

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-103

Aucune référence CVE publique n'est liée à ce CWE dans le catalogue MITRE pour le moment.

Comment les attaquants l'exploitent

Parcours de l'attaquant étape par étape

1
Identifier un chemin de code qui traite des entrées non fiables sans validation.
2
Élaborer une charge utile qui exploite le comportement non sécurisé — injection, traversal, débordement ou abus de logique.
3
Délivrer la charge utile via une requête normale et observer la réaction de l'application.
4
Itérer jusqu'à ce que la réponse divulgue des données, exécute le code de l'attaquant ou élève les privilèges.

Exemple de code vulnérable

Vulnerable Java

In the following Java example the class RegistrationForm is a Struts framework ActionForm Bean that will maintain user input data from a registration webpage for an online business site. The user will enter registration data and the RegistrationForm bean in the Struts framework will maintain the user data. Tthe RegistrationForm class implements the validate method to validate the user input entered into the form.

Vulnérable Java

public class RegistrationForm extends org.apache.struts.validator.ValidatorForm {
  	// private variables for registration form
  	private String name;
  	private String email;
  	...
  	public RegistrationForm() {
  		super();
  	}
  	public ActionErrors validate(ActionMapping mapping, HttpServletRequest request) {
  		ActionErrors errors = new ActionErrors();
  		if (getName() == null || getName().length() < 1) {
  			errors.add("name", new ActionMessage("error.name.required"));
  		}
  		return errors;
  	}
  	// getter and setter methods for private variables
  	...
  }

Exemple de code sécurisé

Secure Java

Although the validate method is implemented in this example the method does not call the validate method of the ValidatorForm parent class with a call super.validate(). Without the call to the parent validator class only the custom validation will be performed and the default validation will not be performed. The following example shows that the validate method of the ValidatorForm class is called within the implementation of the validate method.

Sécurisé Java

public class RegistrationForm extends org.apache.struts.validator.ValidatorForm {
  		// private variables for registration form
  		private String name;
  		private String email;
  		...
  		public RegistrationForm() {
  			super();
  		}
  		public ActionErrors validate(ActionMapping mapping, HttpServletRequest request) {
  			ActionErrors errors = super.validate(mapping, request);
  			if (errors == null) {
  				errors = new ActionErrors();
  			}
  		if (getName() == null || getName().length() < 1) {
  			errors.add("name", new ActionMessage("error.name.required"));
  		}
  		return errors;
  }
  	// getter and setter methods for private variables
  	...
  }

What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.

Liste de contrôle de prévention

How to prevent CWE-103

Implementation Implement the validate() method and call super.validate() within that method.

Signaux de détection

How to detect CWE-103

Automated Static Analysis High

Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)

CWE-103

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Questions fréquentes

Frequently asked questions

Qu'est-ce que CWE-103 ?

This vulnerability occurs in a Struts application when a validator form either completely omits a validate() method or includes one but fails to call super.validate() within it.

Quelle est la gravité de CWE-103 ?

MITRE n'a pas publié de note de probabilité d'exploitation pour cette faiblesse. Traitez-la comme un impact moyen jusqu'à ce que votre modèle de menace prouve le contraire.

Quels langages ou plateformes sont affectés par CWE-103 ?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Java.

Comment puis-je prévenir CWE-103 ?

Implement the validate() method and call super.validate() within that method.

Comment Plexicus détecte et corrige CWE-103 ?

Le moteur SAST de Plexicus reconnaît la signature de flux de données de CWE-103 à chaque commit. Lorsqu'une correspondance est trouvée, notre agent Codex Remedium ouvre une PR de correction avec le code corrigé, les tests et un résumé d'une ligne pour le relecteur.

Où puis-je en savoir plus sur CWE-103 ?

MITRE publie la définition canonique à https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/103.html. Vous pouvez également consulter la documentation OWASP et NIST pour des conseils adjacents.

Faiblesses associées

Weaknesses related to CWE-103

CWE-573 Parent

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Struts: Incomplete validate() Method Definition

What is CWE-103?

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-103

Parcours de l'attaquant étape par étape

Vulnerable Java

Secure Java

How to prevent CWE-103

How to detect CWE-103

Don't catalog this weakness. Prove it's reachable.

Frequently asked questions

Weaknesses related to CWE-103

Improper Following of Specification by Caller

Struts: Form Bean Does Not Extend Validation Class

Creation of chroot Jail Without Changing Working Directory

Incorrect Check of Function Return Value

Improper Following of a Certificate's Chain of Trust

Missing Critical Step in Authentication

Missing Cryptographic Step

Generation of Predictable IV with CBC Mode

Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard

Further reading

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Sample evidence handover

Server-Side Request Forgery in `webhooks/receiver`