CveMateVulnerability intelligence

CVE-2017-5638: Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVSS: 10.0v2.0HighKEVRansomwareAnalyzed

AliasesGHSA-j77q-2qqg-6989

Published 11-03-2017Last modified 21-10-2025

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2017-5638 is a high (CVSS 10.0) vulnerability in Apache Struts. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 100.00% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of scored vulnerabilities. 11 public exploits are recorded.

Overall risk

100/100

0100

Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?

CVSS score

10.0/10

010

High · v2.0 (NVD)

EPSS score

100.00%

0%100%

Critical · 0.00 pp in 30 days

KEVListedCISA

RansomwareKnown useFlagged by CISA

Public exploits11github, reference, exploit-database, metasploit

Timeline

11-03-2017
PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
03-11-2021
Added to CISA KEVApache Struts Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
03-05-2022
CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
21-10-2025
Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

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.

CVSS metrics

4 scores · 3 sources · 3 versions

v3.19.8v3.010.0v2.010.0

EPSS trend

Probability

100.00%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

100%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 100.00% on 18-09-2026

18-09-202618-10-2026

EPSS score

100.00%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs

CISA KEVListed

Added: 03-11-2021
Federal due date: 03-05-2022

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5638

Public exploits

11 found

githubUnverified
Metasploit Framework
Maturity: poc
githubUnverified
Struts Pwn
Maturity: poc
referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (nmap.org)
Maturity: unknown

Show all 11 exploits

referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (arstechnica.com)
Maturity: unknown
referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (blog.talosintelligence.com)
Maturity: unknown
referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (isc.sans.edu)
Maturity: unknown
referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (packetstormsecurity.com)
Maturity: unknown
referenceUnverified
Exploit Reference (blog.trendmicro.com)
Maturity: unknown
exploit-databaselinuxVerified
Apache Struts 2.3.5 < 2.3.31 / 2.5 < 2.5.10 - Remote Code Execution
Maturity: poc
exploit-databaseremotemultipleVerified
Apache Struts 2.3.5 < 2.3.31 / 2.5 < 2.5.10 - 'Jakarta' Multipart Parser OGNL Injection (Metasploit)
Maturity: weaponized
MetasploitremoteVerified
Apache Struts Jakarta Multipart Parser OGNL Injection
exploit/multi/http/struts2_content_type_ognl
Maturity: weaponized

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

CWE-755Improper Handling of Exceptional ConditionsThe product does not handle or incorrectly handles an exceptional condition.

Affected systems

Ibm3 products

storwize_v3500_firmware7.7.1.6 | 7.8.1.0
storwize_v5000_firmware7.7.1.6 | 7.8.1.0
storwize_v7000_firmware7.7.1.6 | 7.8.1.0

Apache1 product

struts≥ 2.2.3, < 2.3.32 | ≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.10.1

Apache software foundation1 product

apache struts2.3.x before 2.3.32 | 2.5.x before 2.5.10.1

Arubanetworks1 product

clearpass_policy_manager< 6.6.5

Hp1 product

server_automation9.1.0 | 10.0.0 | 10.1.0 | 10.2.0 | 10.5.0

Lenovo1 product

storage_v5030_firmware7.7.1.6 | 7.8.1.0

Netapp1 product

oncommand_balancena

Oracle1 product

weblogic_server10.3.6.0.0 | 12.1.3.0.0 | 12.2.1.1.0 | 12.2.1.2.0

Org.apache.struts1 product

struts2-core≥ 2.3.0, < 2.3.32 | ≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.10.1

9 vendors · 11 products

References

51 links

nmap.org/nsedoc/scripts/http-vuln-cve2017-5638.htmlX Refsource MISCExploitThird Party AdvisoryWEB
www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-002.txtX Refsource CONFIRMThird Party AdvisoryWEB
arstechnica.com/security/…X Refsource MISCExploitPress/Media Coverage
exploit-db.com/exploits/41570ExploitX Refsource EXPLOIT DBThird Party AdvisoryVDB EntryWEB
security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20170310-0001/X Refsource CONFIRMThird Party Advisory
github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/issues/8064X Refsource MISCExploitIssue TrackingWEB
struts.apache.org/docs/s2-046.htmlX Refsource CONFIRMMitigationVendor AdvisoryWEB
blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/03/apache-0-day-exploited.htmlX Refsource MISCExploitThird Party AdvisoryWEB
www.imperva.com/blog/…X Refsource MISCThird Party Advisory
h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbgn03733en_usX Refsource CONFIRMBroken LinkWEB

Show all 51 references

www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/834067Third Party AdvisoryX Refsource CERT VNUS Government ResourceWEB
isc.sans.edu/diary/22169X Refsource MISCExploitThird Party AdvisoryWEB
struts.apache.org/docs/s2-045.htmlX Refsource CONFIRMMitigationVendor AdvisoryWEB
www.securitytracker.com/id/1037973VDB EntryX Refsource SECTRACKBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryWEB
www.eweek.com/security/apache-struts-vulnerability-under-attack.htmlX Refsource MISCPress/Media CoverageThird Party AdvisoryWEB
www.securityfocus.com/bid/96729VDB EntryX Refsource BIDBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryWEB
twitter.com/theog150/status/841146956135124993X Refsource MISCBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryWEB
github.com/mazen160/struts-pwnX Refsource MISCExploitWEB
packetstormsecurity.com/files/141494/S2-45-poc.py.txtX Refsource MISCBroken LinkExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB EntryWEB
www.symantec.com/security-center/network-protection-security-advisories/SA145X Refsource CONFIRMBroken LinkWEB
support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/len-14200X Refsource CONFIRMThird Party AdvisoryWEB
git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/…X Refsource CONFIRMBroken LinkWEB
h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03723en_usX Refsource CONFIRMThird Party AdvisoryWEB
git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/…X Refsource CONFIRMBroken LinkWEB
cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-045X Refsource CONFIRMMitigationVendor AdvisoryWEB
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41614/ExploitX Refsource EXPLOIT DBThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-046X Refsource CONFIRMMitigationVendor AdvisoryWEB
www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.htmlX Refsource CONFIRMPatchThird Party AdvisoryWEB
h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbgn03749en_usX Refsource CONFIRMThird Party AdvisoryWEB
blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/…X Refsource MISCExploitThird Party Advisory
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTWEB
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTWEB
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTWEB
www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-5638Government ResourceUS Government ResourceWEB
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5638Advisory
github.com/apache/struts/commit/b06dd50af2a3319dd896bf5c2f4972d2b772cf2bWEB
github.com/apache/struts/commit/352306493971e7d5a756d61780d57a76eb1f519aWEB
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…WEB
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…WEB
security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20170310-0001WEB
web.archive.org/web/20170311203630/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96729WEB
web.archive.org/web/20170921030226/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037973WEB
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41614WEB
www.imperva.com/blog/…WEB
arstechnica.com/security/…WEB
git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git;a=commit;h=352306493971e7d5a756d61780d57a76eb1f519aWEB
git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git;a=commit;h=6b8272ce47160036ed120a48345d9aa884477228WEB
github.com/advisories/GHSA-j77q-2qqg-6989Advisory
github.com/apache/strutsPACKAGE
lists.apache.org/thread.html/…WEB
blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/…WEB