Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Exploited · KEV 2021-11-03RansomwareMetasploit moduleCVE-2017-5638CWE-20

Exploited since 2021-11-03. 1 of 8 rule sources name it. Our CRS test: blocked.

Edge rules

1/8

Our test

Blocked

CVSS

9.8

EPSS

100.0% Top 0.1%

Posts, 14d

Published

2017-03-11

The Jakarta Multipart parser in Apache Struts 2 2.3.x before 2.3.32 and 2.5.x before 2.5.10.1 has incorrect exception handling and error-message generation during file-upload attempts, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted Content-Type, Content-Disposition, or Content-Length HTTP header, as exploited in the wild in March 2017 with a Content-Type header containing a #cmd= string.

Edge coverage

Claimed by vendors

CloudflareBefore feed historyOlder than its feedEnterprise: blocked · Free: passed AWSBefore feed historyOlder than its feedWe measured: blocked Microsoft AzureRule publishedListed, undated Google CloudBefore feed historyOlder than its feedWe measured: blocked FastlyBefore feed historyOlder than its feed F5Before feed historyOlder than its feed AkamaiNo public sourceNo public changelog OWASP CRSBefore feed historyOlder than its feed

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Ask about CVE-2017-5638: who's covered, what to patch first, how vendors compare. I cite sources and won't help with attacks.

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Severity, decoded

CVSS 3.1

9.8Critical

Critical · 9.8 / 10

Exploitable over the network, with no privileges and no user interaction, leading to full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Over the internetNo login neededNo user actionWorks reliablyFull compromise

How the score is built8 metrics

Attack vectorAn attacker can reach it over the internet; no access to your network needed.
Network
Attack complexityNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Low
Privileges requiredNo account or login is needed.
None
User interactionNo one has to click or open anything; the attack works on its own.
None
ScopeThe damage stays within the vulnerable component.
Unchanged
Confidentiality impactAn attacker can read all data the affected component holds, or the most sensitive parts of it.
High
Integrity impactAn attacker can change any data or files the affected component protects.
High
Availability impactAn attacker can take the component down completely or keep it from serving anyone.
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA's assessmentSSVC, from the CVE record

ExploitationActive

Attackers are exploiting this in the wild.

AutomatableYes

Attackers can script the attack end to end and hit many targets at once.

Technical impactTotal

A successful attack gives full control over the affected software or all of its data.

Public exploits

4 found

1 Metasploit2 Exploit-DB1 Scanner template0 GitHub PoCs

MetasploitApache Struts Jakarta Multipart Parser OGNL Injection2017-03-07 · exploit · rank Excellent · has check
Exploit-DBApache Struts 2.3.5 < 2.3.31 / 2.5 < 2.5.10 - 'Jakarta' Multipart Parser OGNL Injection (Metasploit)2017-03-15 · remote · multiple · verified
Exploit-DBApache Struts 2.3.5 < 2.3.31 / 2.5 < 2.5.10 - Remote Code Execution2017-03-07 · webapps · linux · verified
NucleiCVE-2017-5638.yamldetection template, replayed in our lab

Links are to third-party code: never run it outside an isolated lab.

Timeline

2017-03-07
Metasploit module published
Apache Struts Jakarta Multipart Parser OGNL Injection
2017-03-07
Exploit published on Exploit-DB
Apache Struts 2.3.5 < 2.3.31 / 2.5 < 2.5.10 - Remote Code Execution
2017-03-11
CVE published
CVE List
2021-11-03
Added to CISA KEV
Confirmed exploitation in the wild
2026-11-02
Our test: OWASP Core Rule Set blocked it
paranoia level 1, anomaly threshold 5, default CRS settings
2026-11-02
Our test: OWASP Core Rule Set blocked it
paranoia level 2, anomaly threshold 5, default CRS settings