CVE-2024-53677: Apache Struts file upload logic is flawed

Should you act?

High exploit likelihood

EPSS ranks it in the top 5% of all CVEs for likely exploitation in the next 30 days. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Not in CISA KEV, but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
• EPSS 70.1%, percentile 99: FIRST’s model estimates a 70.1% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
• Only applies if your dependency tree includes org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) < 6.4.0, fixed in 6.4.0. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

What it is

File upload logic in Apache Struts is flawed. An attacker can manipulate file upload params to enable paths traversal and under some circumstances this can lead to uploading a malicious file which can be used to perform Remote Code Execution. This issue affects Apache Struts: from 2.0.0 before 6.4.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.4.0 at least and migrate to the new file upload mechanism https://struts.apache.org/core-developers/file-upload . If you are not using an old file upload logic based on FileuploadInterceptor your application is safe. You can find more details in https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-067

From the GitHub advisory

File upload logic is flawed vulnerability in Apache Struts. An attacker can manipulate file upload params to enable paths traversal and under some circumstances this can lead to uploading a malicious file which can be used to perform Remote Code Execution.

This issue affects Apache Struts: from 2.0.0 before 6.4.0.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.4.0 at least and migrate to the new file upload mechanism https://struts.apache.org/core-developers/file-upload. If you are not using an old file upload logic based on FileuploadInterceptor your application is safe.

You can find more details in https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-067 .

Weakness type: CWE-434, CWE-22, CWE-915.

Product: org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) · Assigned by: apache · Published: 2024-12-11

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: high (needs special conditions)
• Attack requirements: present (depends on deployment conditions)
• Privileges required: none (no login)
• User interaction: none

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 70.14% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.

Timeline

• 2024-12-11 — CVE record published by apache
• 2024-12-11 — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-43mq-6xmg-29vm published (critical)
• 2025-01-03 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. cwiki.apache.org cwiki.apache.org

Vulnerability records

1. GitHub Advisory GHSA-43mq-6xmg-29vm github.com
2. CVE.org record CVE-2024-53677 cve.org
3. NVD entry CVE-2024-53677 nvd.nist.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. security.netapp.com security.netapp.com
2. struts.apache.org struts.apache.org
3. github.com github.com
4. github.com github.com
5. github.com github.com
6. dynatrace.com dynatrace.com

Critical Maven advisories · Today’s Security Digest