CVE-2017-5638: 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…
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Now (action score 99/100)
- CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild (Nov 3, 2021); it is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Remediation deadline for US federal agencies: May 3, 2022.
- A ready-made attack module is public (Metasploit, Nuclei); exploiting it takes no special expertise.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 99.9% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 99.9% of all records.
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it. No account or password is required. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- According to CISA the attack is automatable: targets can be found by mass scanning.
- Fixed version: org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) 2.3.32, 2.5.10.1.
- Mentioned 2 times in Turkish national cyber security advisories (siberguvenlik.gov.tr).
Patch today or shut off access. Upgrade to org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) 2.3.32, 2.5.10.1 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · CISA KEV · FIRST EPSS
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.
- Published
- Mar 10, 2017
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 99.9% · 99th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-755
Report tools
Action score
99
Patch today or shut off access.
- CVSS
- 39 / 40 · 9.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 30 / 30 · Listed
- EPSS
- 30 / 30 · 99.9%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- active
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- total
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
Actively exploited in the wild
CISA added this to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 3, 2021. That signals real attacks, not theory.
Remediation deadline for US federal agencies: May 3, 2022.
Known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Get told when this record changes
- In CISA KEV: exploitation in the wild confirmed
- Weaponized exploit exists
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| apache | struts | cpe:2.3:a:apache:struts |
| ibm | storwize v3500 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:ibm:storwize_v3500_firmware |
| ibm | storwize v3500 | cpe:2.3:h:ibm:storwize_v3500 |
| ibm | storwize v5000 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:ibm:storwize_v5000_firmware |
| ibm | storwize v5000 | cpe:2.3:h:ibm:storwize_v5000 |
| ibm | storwize v7000 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:ibm:storwize_v7000_firmware |
| ibm | storwize v7000 | cpe:2.3:h:ibm:storwize_v7000 |
| lenovo | storage v5030 firmware | cpe:2.3:o:lenovo:storage_v5030_firmware |
| lenovo | storage v5030 | cpe:2.3:h:lenovo:storage_v5030 |
| hp | server automation | cpe:2.3:a:hp:server_automation |
| oracle | weblogic server | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:weblogic_server |
| arubanetworks | clearpass policy manager | cpe:2.3:a:arubanetworks:clearpass_policy_manager |
and 1 more
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (apache). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts
- 2.3.x before 2.3.32, 2.5.x before 2.5.10.1affected
Affected versions · NVD (20)
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- apache struts2.5.0 and later · before 2.5.10.1
- apache struts2.2.3 and later · before 2.3.32
- arubanetworks clearpass policy managerbefore 6.6.5
- hp server automation10.0.0
- hp server automation10.1.0
- hp server automation10.2.0
- hp server automation10.5.0
- hp server automation9.1.0
- ibm storwize v3500 firmware7.7.1.6
- ibm storwize v3500 firmware7.8.1.0
- ibm storwize v5000 firmware7.7.1.6
- ibm storwize v5000 firmware7.8.1.0
- ibm storwize v7000 firmware7.7.1.6
- ibm storwize v7000 firmware7.8.1.0
- lenovo storage v5030 firmware7.7.1.6
- lenovo storage v5030 firmware7.8.1.0
- netapp oncommand balanceall versions
- oracle weblogic server10.3.6.0.0
- oracle weblogic server12.1.3.0.0
- oracle weblogic server12.2.1.1.0
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | from 2.3.0 · before 2.3.32 | 2.3.32 |
| Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | from 2.5.0 · before 2.5.10.1 | 2.5.10.1 |
Same product
apache: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2017-9791The Struts 1 plugin in Apache Struts 2.1.x and 2.3.x might allow remote code execution via a malicious field value passed in a raw message…KEV99Now
- CVE-2020-17530Forced OGNL evaluation, when evaluated on raw user input in tag attributes, may lead to remote code execution.KEV98Now
- CVE-2018-11776Apache Struts versions 2.3 to 2.3.34 and 2.5 to 2.5.16 suffer from possible Remote Code Execution when alwaysSelectFullNamespace is true…KEV92Now
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2016-1182Jul 4, 2016 · ActionServlet.java in Apache Struts 1 1.x through 1.3.10 does not properly restrict the Validator configuration, which allows remote…40Plan
- ← EarlierCVE-2016-4436Oct 3, 2016 · Apache Struts 2 before 2.3.29 and 2.5.x before 2.5.1 allow attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors related to improper action name…41Plan
- Later →CVE-2017-7672Jul 13, 2017 · If an application allows enter an URL in a form field and built-in URLValidator is used, it is possible to prepare a special URL which will…26Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maven:org.apache.struts:struts2-core | 2.3.32 | Package registry (OSV) |
| Maven:org.apache.struts:struts2-core | 2.5.10.1 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Weaponized
A ready exploit tool or active in-the-wild use is known for this vulnerability. This should be your top priority.
Evidence
- Metasploit module ×1
- Exploit-DB entry ×2
- Nuclei detection template ×1
- Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×50
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | 50 repositories | 2017-03-07 → 2018-06-26 |
| Exploit-DB entry | webapps | 2017-03-07 |
| Exploit-DB entry | remote | 2017-03-15 |
| Metasploit module | exploit/multi/http/struts2_content_type_ognlApache Struts Jakarta Multipart Parser OGNL Injectionexploit | 2017-03-07 |
| Nuclei detection template | Nuclei template CVE-2017-5638 | — |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- First PoC-4 d
- Metasploit-4 d
- Published
- CISA KEV+1698 d
- TodayNov 14, 2026+3535 d
Bug bounty scope
The product’s vendor appears in a public program. Matched by name; verify the scope text in the program.
National notice (Türkiye Cybersecurity Directorate / USOM)
Official security notices citing this record; remediation advice is on the agency's page.
- TR-20-613 · Aug 17, 2020(Apache, Struts için Güvenlik Güncellemeleri Yayınladı)
- TR-17-015 · Mar 8, 2017(Apache Struts, Kritik Güvenlik Güncellemeleri Yayınladı)
Not on record for this CVE: EPSS history · patch commit or PR link · researcher credit · variant or chain candidate.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-755 · Improper Handling of Exceptional ConditionsCVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Change log (1)
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (19 more)Show less
- www.eweek.com/security/apache-struts-vulnerability-under-attack.html
- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/96729
- www.securitytracker.com/id/1037973
- cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-045
- cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-046
- git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=352306493971e7d5a756d61780d57a76eb1f519a
- git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=6b8272ce47160036ed120a48345d9aa884477228
- h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbgn03733en_us
- h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbgn03749en_us
- h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03723en_us
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1125f3044a0946d1e7e6f125a6170b58d413ebd4a95157e4608041c7%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r90890afea72a9571d666820b2fe5942a0a5f86be406fa31da3dd0922%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20170310-0001/
- struts.apache.org/docs/s2-045.html
- struts.apache.org/docs/s2-046.html
- support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/len-14200
- twitter.com/theog150/status/841146956135124993
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.