CWE WEAKNESSES / CWE-917
CWE-917
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')
What it is
The product constructs all or part of an expression language (EL) statement in a framework such as a Java Server Page (JSP) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended EL statement before it is executed.
Frameworks such as Java Server Page (JSP) allow a developer to insert executable expressions within otherwise-static content. When the developer is not aware of the executable nature of these expressions and/or does not disable them, then if an attacker can inject expressions, this could lead to code execution or other unexpected behaviors.
Impact
| Confidentiality | Read Application Data |
| Integrity | Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands |
Mitigations
- [Architecture and Design] Avoid adding user-controlled data into an expression interpreter when possible.
- [Implementation]If user-controlled data must be added to an expression interpreter, one or more of the following should be performed:- Validate that the user input will not evaluate as an expression- Encode the user input in a way that ensures it is not evaluated as an expression
- [System Configuration, Operation] The framework or tooling might allow the developer to disable or deactivate the processing of EL expressions, such as setting the isELIgnored attribute for a JSP page to "true".
Real-world CVE examples
- CVE-2021-44228 — Product does not neutralize ${xyz} style expressions, allowing remote code execution. (log4shell vulnerability in log4j)
Related weaknesses
Browse all common weaknesses, check related exploited CVEs, or map to ATT&CK techniques.
Source: MITRE CWE. View on cwe.mitre.org →