Apache Software Foundation - Arbitrary File Read (CVE-2023-50164)

CVE-2023-50164 is a critical vulnerability affecting Apache Struts, where attackers can manipulate file upload parameters to achieve path traversal. Under certain conditions, this can result in the upload of malicious files and enable remote code execution.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 15th of December 2023.

Based on data from the CrowdSec network, nearly all observed exploitation of CVE-2023-50164 is fully opportunistic, with attackers indiscriminately scanning the entire internet. These attacks are automated and lack any form of target selection or reconnaissance. Data from the CrowdSec community also indicates a gradual decrease in attacks targeting CVE-2023-50164. While still present in the wild, exploitation levels have dropped noticeably week-over-week. This may signal that the vulnerability is becoming less relevant or that defenses are improving fast enough for attackers to lose interest.

Observed attempts are associated with crafted requests to the file upload functionality in vulnerable Struts deployments.