CVE-2023-50164
Apache Struts 2.0.0 – 2.5.33
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-50164 is a critical-severity Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties (CWE-552) vulnerability in Apache Struts. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Automated Collection (T1119); ranked in the top 0.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2023-50164 is a path traversal vulnerability in Apache Struts that arises during file upload handling. By manipulating upload parameters, an attacker can traverse directories and, under certain conditions, place a malicious file on the server that enables remote code execution. The flaw affects Struts versions prior to 2.5.33 and 6.3.0.2 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8.
Unauthenticated attackers with network access can exploit the issue without user interaction to upload and execute arbitrary code on the target server, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Public advisories from the Apache Struts project and downstream vendors such as NetApp direct users to upgrade immediately to Struts 2.5.33 or 6.3.0.2 or later. Multiple references, including the Apache security mailing list thread and Packet Storm entries, document the fix and provide exploit artifacts.
The CVE maintains a high and stable EPSS score of 0.9366 with public exploit code already circulating, indicating sustained interest since disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-3074
Vulnerability Data
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. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions Struts…
more
2.5.33 or Struts 6.3.0.2 or greater to fix this issue.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 5 hardening rules · 2 OS baselines
V8.4.2
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Controls on authorized publication limit files and directories with nonpublic data from becoming accessible to external parties.
Controlling and documenting P2P file sharing prevents files and directories from being made accessible to external parties for unauthorized distribution.
Identifying and documenting file and directory locations allows restriction of access to external parties.
Protecting backup files ensures they are not accessible to external parties or unauthorized spheres.
Sanitizing equipment before off-site maintenance reduces the risk of files or directories containing sensitive data becoming accessible to external parties.
Policy restricts media access to authorized parties only, preventing exposure of resources to external or unauthorized actors.
Media access restrictions prevent files or directories from being accessible to external parties.
Employing and evaluating controls at documented alternate sites makes files and directories less likely to be accessible to external parties through physical or environmental weaknesses.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Enforcing least-privilege permissions and authorization policies directly prevents unauthorized file/directory exposure.
Data-at-rest protections such as encryption or ACLs reduce the impact of unintended file exposure.
Logical segmentation and access protections stop external parties from reaching files that should remain internal.
Hardened configuration baselines commonly include file-system permission settings that limit external access.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (2 rules)
- V-248579 OL 8 must restrict access to the kernel message buffer. blocks CWE-552
- V-248597 There must be no "shosts.equiv" files on the OL 8 operating system. blocks CWE-552