CVE-2017-9805

REST Plugin in Apache Struts uses an XStreamHandler with an instance of XStream for deserialization without any type filtering

The REST Plugin in Apache Struts 2.1.1 through 2.3.x before 2.3.34 and 2.5.x before 2.5.13 uses an XStreamHandler with an instance of XStream for deserialization without any type filtering, which can lead to Remote Code Execution when deserializing XML payloads.

Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution or logic abuse.

CVE-2017-9805 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (2.5.13, 2.3.34); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

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1. What is CVE-2017-9805? CVE-2017-9805 is a high-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (maven), affecting versions >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.13. It is fixed in 2.5.13, 2.3.34. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.
2. How severe is CVE-2017-9805? CVE-2017-9805 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin are affected by CVE-2017-9805? org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (maven) versions >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.13 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2017-9805? Yes. CVE-2017-9805 is fixed in 2.5.13, 2.3.34. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2017-9805 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2017-9805 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2017-9805 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2017-9805?
   • Upgrade org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin to 2.5.13 or later
   • Upgrade org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin to 2.3.34 or later

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