# CVE-2017-12611 — Apache Struts

> As of 2024-09-17, CVE-2017-12611 is a CRITICAL-severity vulnerability in Apache Struts, CVSS v3.1 9.8, EPSS 87.1% (99.7th percentile). Threadlinqs Intelligence links 1 tracked threat campaign to CVE-2017-12611, most recently “NadMesh Botnet Hunts Exposed AI Services (ComfyUI, Ollama, n8n, Open WebUI, Langflow, Gradio) for Credentials and MCP Tool Access”.

**Last updated:** 2024-09-17

## What is CVE-2017-12611?

In Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.33 and 2.5 through 2.5.10.1, using an unintentional expression in a Freemarker tag instead of string literals can lead to a RCE attack.

The record classifies CVE-2017-12611 under weakness class [CWE-20](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cwe/CWE-20). Its CVSS v3 base vector states that the flaw is reachable remotely over the network, needs no prior authentication, needs no user interaction, and has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability. 1 affected-product entry is recorded, across 1 vendor, listed below. The identifier was first published 3326 days ago.

## Severity and exploitation probability

- **CVSS v3.1 base score:** 9.8 — CRITICAL (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **EPSS (FIRST):** 87.1% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs
- **CISA KEV:** Not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- **Threadlinqs priority:** 10/10 — a Threadlinqs composite of the CVSS base score, the EPSS percentile and public exploit availability
- **Published:** 2017-09-20, last modified 2024-09-17

## Is CVE-2017-12611 being exploited?

Weaponised exploit code for CVE-2017-12611 is publicly available. 4 public proof-of-concept repositories are tracked for this identifier. A ProjectDiscovery Nuclei detection template exists (`http/cves/2017/CVE-2017-12611.yaml`). It currently carries a trending score of 40 in the Threadlinqs vulnerability feed.

- [brianwrf/S2-053-CVE-2017-12611](https://github.com/brianwrf/S2-053-CVE-2017-12611) (github)
- [tcetin704/CVE-2017-12611](https://github.com/tcetin704/CVE-2017-12611) (github)
- [zeynepsilao/CVE-2017-12611_Exploit](https://github.com/zeynepsilao/CVE-2017-12611_Exploit) (github)
- [trickest/cve](https://github.com/trickest/cve/blob/main/2017/CVE-2017-12611.md) (trickest)

## Affected products and versions

- [Apache Software Foundation](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/vendors/apache-software-foundation): Apache Struts

## How to fix CVE-2017-12611

The record marks a vendor fix as available for CVE-2017-12611. Patch reference: [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html). Vendor advisory: [https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-053.html](https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-053.html). Apply the vendor fix referenced above to every affected product listed in this record, then confirm the running version against the vendor advisory.

## Threat activity tracking CVE-2017-12611

1 tracked threat in the Threadlinqs corpus references CVE-2017-12611, either in the campaign’s CVE list or as an indicator on the campaign record.

- [NadMesh Botnet Hunts Exposed AI Services (ComfyUI, Ollama, n8n, Open WebUI, Langflow, Gradio) for Credentials and MCP Tool Access](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1455) — HIGH · 2026-07-17

## Sources

Enriched from CVE.org, NVD, FIRST EPSS, public proof-of-concept repositories, ProjectDiscovery Nuclei. Last verified by Threadlinqs on 2026-10-10. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

**Vendor advisory and patch**

- [oracle.com](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2017-9805-3889403.html)
- [arubanetworks.com](http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2017-003.txt)
- [struts.apache.org](https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-053.html)
- [kb.netapp.com](https://kb.netapp.com/support/s/article/ka51A000000CgttQAC/NTAP-20170911-0001)

**Vulnerability database entry**

- [securityfocus.com — vdb entry](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100829)

Canonical: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2017-12611
Full detection coverage and IOCs for threats exploiting CVE-2017-12611 via the Threadlinqs MCP server (Purple tier): https://intel.threadlinqs.com/mcp