CVE-2018-9866 is a vulnerability that was discovered in Apache Struts, an open-source web application framework used by many organizations. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server by sending specially crafted requests to the affected server. This type of attack is called a Remote Code Execution (RCE) attack and can result in the complete compromise of the targeted system.
The vulnerability was first disclosed in July 2018, and a patch was released shortly after. However, it didn't take long for cybercriminals to start exploiting it. In fact, in September 2018, just two months after the disclosure, security researchers detected attacks targeting the vulnerability. These attacks were attributed to a hacking group known as APT-C-27, which has been active since at least 2013. The group, believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government, has been linked to various cyber espionage campaigns targeting governments and private organizations.
The impact of CVE-2018-9866 was significant, with many organizations being affected. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of promptly applying patches and keeping software up-to-date to prevent cyberattacks. Additionally, the attribution of the attacks to a nation-state actor underscores the need for organizations to take cybersecurity seriously and implement robust security measures to protect their systems from advanced threats.