CVE-2016-10917 is a vulnerability that affects the Apache Struts2 framework, which is widely used for developing enterprise-grade Java web applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server by sending specially crafted requests to the application. This vulnerability was assigned a severity score of 10 out of 10, indicating the high level of risk posed by the flaw.
The vulnerability was first discovered in March 2017, and by May of the same year, cybercriminals launched an attack using this exploit. The attack exploited the vulnerability to deploy ransomware known as "WannaCry," which infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide and caused massive disruption. The exploit was also used in other attacks, such as the Equifax data breach, which exposed sensitive personal information of millions of people.
Apache Struts2 quickly released a patch to address the vulnerability, urging all users to upgrade their systems immediately. However, many organizations failed to apply the patch promptly, leaving their systems vulnerable to attacks. This incident highlights the importance of promptly applying security patches and keeping software up to date to minimize the risk of exploitation.