Exploit Public Facing Application via Apache Commons Text
The following analytic detects attempts to exploit the CVE-2022-42889 vulnerability in the Apache Commons Text Library, known as Text4Shell. It leverages the Web datamodel to identify suspicious HTTP requests…
Description
The following analytic detects attempts to exploit the CVE-2022-42889 vulnerability in the Apache Commons Text Library, known as Text4Shell. It leverages the Web datamodel to identify suspicious HTTP requests containing specific lookup keys (url, dns, script) that can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE). This activity is significant as it targets a critical vulnerability that can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- nginx_access
Known benign triggers
- False positives are present when the values are set to 1 for utf and lookup. It's possible to raise this to TTP (direct finding) if removal of other_lookups occur and Score is raised to 2 (down from 4).
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| github.com/kljunowsky/CVE-2022-42889-text4shell | Only this detection cites it |
| lists.apache.org/thread/n2bd4vdsgkqh2tm14l1wyc3jyol7s1om | Only this detection cites it |
| medium.com/geekculture/text4shell-exploit-walkthrough-ebc02a01f035 | 2from 2 sources |
| nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42889 | Only this detection cites it |
| sysdig.com/blog/cve-2022-42889-text4shell/ | Only this detection cites it |
| www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/10/17/cve-2022-42889-keep-calm-and-stop-saying-4shell/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 19a481e0-c97c-4d14-b1db-75a708eb592e
- Tagged by the source as
- Text4Shell CVE-2022-42889Web ServerwebSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securitynetwork
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1