Apache Struts: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
CVE-2024-53677 is a critical-severity unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type vulnerability in Apache Struts from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 6.4.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache Struts to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 72.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.55% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update Apache Struts to 6.4.0 or a later version.
- Update Struts to 6.4.0 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Struts | 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 6.4.0 | 6.4.0 |
| Apache | Struts | 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 6.4.0 | 6.4.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.5 | Critical | CNA (apache.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
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
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Generate a new, unique filename for an uploaded file instead of using the user-supplied filename, so that no external input is used at all.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
- Consider storing the uploaded files outside of the web document root entirely. Then, use other mechanisms to deliver the files dynamically.
More Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerabilities (CWE-434)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-067Third Party Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250103-0005/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Struts
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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