--- title: "CVE-2017-5638: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions | CubePath" 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…" language: en source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-5638 --- # CVE-2017-5638: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions | CubePath ## 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. Official description from the CVE record, published by apache. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-5638) ## Key data ### CVSS 3.1 Critical 9.8 Score published by CISA-ADP in the CVE record. CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | Metric | Value | What it means | | ---------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. | | Attack complexity | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. | | Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. | | User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. | | Scope | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component. | | Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. | | Integrity impact | High | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data. | | Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. | CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at [first.org/cvss](https://www.first.org/cvss/) . ### EPSS Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days. Score 0.99999 (99.99% probability) Percentile 99.99% Scores of Nov 10, 2026 Model v2026.06.15 ### CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities This CVE is listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Name in the catalog Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Added to the catalog Nov 3, 2021 Federal due date May 3, 2022 Ransomware campaigns Known use ### CISA assessment as of Feb 6, 2025 Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA. Exploitation Recorded by CISA as active Automatable yes Technical impact total ### Weakness (CWE) CWE catalog version 5.0. CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license. - [CWE-755](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/755.html) Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions ## Affected products Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them. - Apache Struts - affected: 2.3.x before 2.3.32 - affected: 2.5.x before 2.5.10.1 ## References Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control. - [nmap.org/nsedoc/scripts/http-vuln-cve2017-5638.html](https://nmap.org/nsedoc/scripts/http-vuln-cve2017-5638.html) - [arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-002.txt](http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-002.txt) - [arstechnica.com/security/2017/03/critical-vulnerability-und…](https://arstechnica.com/security/2017/03/critical-vulnerability-under-massive-attack-imperils-high-impact-sites/) - [41570](https://exploit-db.com/exploits/41570) (exploit-db.com) exploit - [security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20170310-0001](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20170310-0001/) - [github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/issues/8064](https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/issues/8064) - [struts.apache.org/docs/s2-046.html](https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-046.html) - [blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/03/apache-0-day-exploited.h…](http://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/03/apache-0-day-exploited.html) - [imperva.com/blog/2017/03/cve-2017-5638-new-remote-code-exec…](https://www.imperva.com/blog/2017/03/cve-2017-5638-new-remote-code-execution-rce-vulnerability-in-apache-struts-2/) - [h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en\_US…](https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en%5FUS&docId=emr%5Fna-hpesbgn03733en%5Fus) - [VU#834067](https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/834067) (kb.cert.org) third-party-advisory - [isc.sans.edu/diary/22169](https://isc.sans.edu/diary/22169) - [struts.apache.org/docs/s2-045.html](https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-045.html) - [1037973](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037973) (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry - [eweek.com/security/apache-struts-vulnerability-under-attack…](http://www.eweek.com/security/apache-struts-vulnerability-under-attack.html) - [96729](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96729) (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry - [twitter.com/theog150/status/841146956135124993](https://twitter.com/theog150/status/841146956135124993) - [github.com/mazen160/struts-pwn](https://github.com/mazen160/struts-pwn) - [packetstormsecurity.com/files/141494/S2-45-poc.py.txt](https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/141494/S2-45-poc.py.txt) - [symantec.com/security-center/network-protection-security-ad…](https://www.symantec.com/security-center/network-protection-security-advisories/SA145) - [support.lenovo.com/us/en/product\_security/len-14200](https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product%5Fsecurity/len-14200) - [git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3…](https://git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=352306493971e7d5a756d61780d57a76eb1f519a) - [h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en\_US…](https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en%5FUS&docId=emr%5Fna-hpesbhf03723en%5Fus) - [git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3…](https://git1-us-west.apache.org/repos/asf?p=struts.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=6b8272ce47160036ed120a48345d9aa884477228) - [cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-045](https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-045) - [41614](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41614/) (exploit-db.com) exploit - [cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-046](https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-046) - [oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622…](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html) - [h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en\_US…](https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en%5FUS&docId=emr%5Fna-hpesbgn03749en%5Fus) - [blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/cve-201…](http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/cve-2017-5638-apache-struts-vulnerability-remote-code-execution/) - [\[announce\] 20200131 Apache Software Foundation Security Report: 2019](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[announce\] 20210125 Apache Software Foundation Security Report: 2020](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r90890afea72a9571d666820b2fe5942a0a5f86be406fa31da3dd0922%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list - [\[announce\] 20210223 Re: Apache Software Foundation Security Report: 2020](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1125f3044a0946d1e7e6f125a6170b58d413ebd4a95157e4608041c7%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E) (lists.apache.org) mailing-list ## Timeline 1. ID reserved Jan 29, 2017 2. Record published Mar 11, 2017 3. Added to CISA KEV Nov 3, 2021 4. Record last updated Oct 21, 2025 ## Look up another CVE ## About CubePath CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection. [Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection) Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:34 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)