CVE-2017-9805Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vectorHinoki check available

Unauthenticated code execution via unrestricted XML deserialization

Published Sep 15, 2017 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Deserialization in Apache Struts' REST plugin allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted XML requests. In Apache Struts 2.1.6 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.12, XStreamHandler deserializes attacker-supplied XML without filtering object types. Exploitation requires a reachable REST action that accepts XML through this handler, but requires neither authentication nor user interaction.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability99.40%
Next 30 days · Nov 1, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkAvailable
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization in Apache Struts' REST plugin allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted XML requests. In Apache Struts 2.1.6 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.12, XStreamHandler deserializes attacker-supplied XML without filtering object types. Exploitation requires a reachable REST action that accepts XML through this handler, but requires neither authentication nor user interaction.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-9805
Published
Sep 15, 2017
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Vendor
Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Struts
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 15, 2017CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache Struts before 2.3.34 and 2.5.x before 2.5.13

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apache Software Foundation · Apache Strutsversion=Apache Struts before 2.3.34 and 2.5.x before 2.5.13

Published CVSS scores

9.8OracleCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.1CISA ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.

Daily unique IPsShadowserver observations through Sep 28, 2026. Gaps indicate unavailable data.
Sep 22, 2026Sep 28, 2026
View daily counts
Reporting dayUnique IPs
Sep 22, 20264
Sep 23, 20261
Sep 24, 20267
Sep 25, 20261
Sep 26, 20262
Sep 27, 20264
Sep 28, 20263
Latest reporting daySep 28, 2026
Latest daily unique IPs3
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationReported
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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