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Attackers are actively scanning for and attempting to exploit critical Apache Struts file upload vulnerabilities CVE-2024-53677 and CVE-2023-50164, both of which stem from improper handling of upload parameters that can enable path traversal and unauthorized file placement. Security researchers reported internet-wide enumeration and exploitation activity following public disclosure and the appearance of proof-of-concept code on GitHub and in technical write-ups, with attackers seeking to upload malicious files into restricted directories.
Successful exploitation can allow deployment of JSP web shells and lead to remote code execution on vulnerable Struts applications, depending on how file upload features are exposed and sanitized in each environment. The flaws affect multiple Struts branches, including legacy 2.x and 6.x releases, and defenders have been urged to upgrade to fixed versions such as Struts 2.5.33, 6.3.0.2, or 6.4.0 as applicable, migrate away from legacy upload mechanisms, restrict access to upload interfaces, apply WAF protections, and monitor for suspicious JSP file creation and execution.
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8 events from the most recent confirmed update back to the earliest known activity.
Apache disclosed CVE-2024-53677, a critical Struts2 path traversal flaw in file upload logic. The vulnerability could permit unauthorized file uploads to restricted directories and potentially lead to remote code execution.
Cisco announced that it was investigating whether its products were exposed to CVE-2023-50164. The statement reflected vendor response activity following disclosure and PoC release.
The first public proof-of-concept exploits for CVE-2023-50164 were released. Their publication lowered the barrier for attackers to test and weaponize the Struts vulnerability.
The first public technical write-up for CVE-2023-50164 was published, revealing exploitation details for the Struts file upload flaw. This increased public understanding of how the bug could be abused.
Apache released an update addressing CVE-2023-50164 in Struts. The fix covered a critical remote code execution issue affecting multiple Struts branches.
Researcher Steven Seeley of Source Incite reported the Apache Struts vulnerability CVE-2023-50164. The flaw involved path traversal in file upload handling that could enable arbitrary file write and remote code execution.
The advisory reported ongoing large-scale scanning for CVE-2023-50164 and distinct attempts to deploy web shells through the flaw. These observations showed attackers moving from public research to active exploitation activity.
Public proof-of-concept code for CVE-2024-53677 was observed on GitHub, while SANS and mnemonic reported enumeration and exploitation attempts targeting vulnerable Struts systems. mnemonic said it had first-hand visibility into broad exploitation attempts against its customer base.
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Apache Struts developers released fixes for **CVE-2024-53677**, a critical vulnerability in the framework's file upload handling that can allow malicious file upload and **remote code execution** in applications using `FileUploadInterceptor`. The flaw affects Struts versions `2.0.0` through `2.3.37`, `2.5.0` through `2.5.33`, and `6.0.0` through `6.3.0.2`, and has been assigned a **CVSS 4.0 score of 9.5**. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available, and CSIRT.SK reported that the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild. Apache's guidance points organizations to **Struts 6.4.0 or later**, but the vendor's file upload documentation indicates remediation is not limited to patching alone: affected applications must also update source code to adopt the framework's newer file upload mechanism. Defenders are advised to review network and security logs for signs of compromise, as exposed internet-facing Struts applications that still rely on the legacy upload interceptor face elevated risk of exploitation.
Jul 24, 2026
Apache Struts 2 contained a remote code execution flaw, **`CVE-2017-5638`**, in the Jakarta Multipart parser that allowed attackers to run arbitrary commands by sending crafted HTTP file-upload headers, including malicious `Content-Type`, `Content-Disposition`, or `Content-Length` values. The vulnerability affected Struts 2.3.x before 2.3.32 and 2.5.x before 2.5.10.1, and the CVE record notes that exploitation was observed in the wild, including attacks using a `Content-Type` header containing a `#cmd=` string. The Apache Software Foundation highlighted **`CVE-2017-5638`** as one of the notable exploitation-related cases in its annual security reporting, which summarized hundreds of vulnerability reports handled across more than 340 Apache projects. ASF said its 2020 security operations processed 18,000 security-related emails down to 946 non-spam threads, tracked 376 new vulnerability reports across 101 top-level projects, and assigned 151 CVE identifiers from 341 closed reports, underscoring both the scale of Apache’s disclosure workload and the continued significance of high-impact flaws such as the Struts RCE.
Aug 15, 2026
A high-severity vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-66675, has been identified in Apache Struts 2, affecting versions 2.0.0 through 6.7.4 and 7.0.0 through 7.0.3. The flaw arises from a file leak in the multipart request processing component, which can lead to disk exhaustion and result in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely, potentially causing affected servers to crash by exhausting disk resources. The issue has been addressed in versions 6.8.0 and 7.1.1, and users are strongly advised to upgrade to these fixed versions to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability is related to improper handling of file uploads in multipart requests, which can allow attackers to trigger uncontrolled file creation or retention, leading to resource exhaustion. Security advisories recommend prompt patching, as the flaw is remotely exploitable and could be leveraged in automated attacks targeting exposed Struts 2 instances. No evidence of exploitation in the wild has been reported as of the latest updates, but the critical nature of the flaw warrants immediate attention from organizations using vulnerable versions.
Jun 29, 2026