CVE-2024-53677

What is this vulnerability?

CVE-2024-53677 is categorized as a critical Unrestricted File Upload flaw with a CVSS base score of 9.8. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.

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

This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.

Risk Assessment

Impact on Systems

✅ Data Exfiltration: Attackers can extract sensitive data from backend databases, configuration files, or internal services.

✅ Authentication Bypass: Exploiting this flaw may allow unauthorized access to protected resources and administrative interfaces.

✅ Lateral Movement: Once initial access is gained, attackers can pivot to internal systems and escalate privileges.

How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2024-53677

1. Apply Vendor Patches: Upgrade affected components to their latest, non-vulnerable versions immediately.
2. Implement Input Validation: Ensure all user-supplied data is validated, sanitized, and type-checked before processing.
3. Deploy Runtime Protection: Use Precogs continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts in real time.
4. Audit Dependencies: Review and update all third-party libraries and transitive dependencies.

Defending with Precogs AI

Apache Struts 2 contains a flawed file upload mechanism allowing remote code execution. Attackers manipulate request parameters to bypass security interceptors, uploading and executing malicious code. Precogs API Security Engine comprehensively audits file ingestion and interceptor logic.

Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.

Start scanning with Precogs →

Vulnerability Code Signature

Attack Data Flow

Vulnerable Code Pattern

// ❌ VULNERABLE: Unrestricted Upload
$target_dir = "uploads/";
$target_file = $target_dir . basename($_FILES["fileToUpload"]["name"]);
// Taint sink: saving file without extension/type validation
move_uploaded_file($_FILES["fileToUpload"]["tmp_name"], $target_file);

Secure Code Pattern

// ✅ SECURE: Validated Upload
$target_dir = "uploads/";
$filename = basename($_FILES["fileToUpload"]["name"]);
$filetype = strtolower(pathinfo($filename, PATHINFO_EXTENSION));

// Sanitized validation: strict allowlist
$allowed_types = array("jpg", "png", "gif");
if (in_array($filetype, $allowed_types)) {
    // Generate safe unique filename
    $safe_filename = uniqid() . "." . $filetype;
    move_uploaded_file($_FILES["fileToUpload"]["tmp_name"], $target_dir . $safe_filename);
}

How Precogs Detects This

Precogs AI Analysis Engine utilizes semantic taint tracking to detect insecure file upload routines and missing extension validation.\n