China-Linked Hackers Exploit SAP and SQL Server Flaws in Attacks Across Asia and Brazil

CVE-2017-9805 is an unsafe deserialization vulnerability in the REST plugin of Apache Struts 2, which uses the XStream library to deserialize XML request payloads without any type filtering. An attacker triggers it by sending a crafted XML payload to an endpoint handled by the REST plugin, causing the payload to be deserialized into arbitrary objects. Successful exploitation yields remote code execution on the server with the privileges of the web application, typically enough to fully take over the host. Struts 2.1.1 through 2.3.x before 2.3.34 and 2.5.x before 2.5.13 are affected, including products from Cisco and NetApp that bundle vulnerable Struts versions. The flaw has a public proof-of-concept exploit, is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and was reported as under active exploitation after its 2017 disclosure, although the Apache Foundation disputed suggestions that this specific flaw was used in the Equifax breach.

Do: Upgrade Apache Struts to 2.3.34, 2.5.13, or later, or apply the fixed updates for any Cisco or NetApp product that embeds Struts per their advisories. If patching is not immediate, remove or disable the REST plugin, or restrict the XML content types it accepts. Inventory internet-facing applications for Struts REST endpoints and hunt for suspicious XML POSTs, since the CVE is on the CISA KEV list and was reported as actively exploited.

GitLab CE/EE versions from 11.9 onward fail to properly validate image files before passing them to the bundled ExifTool file parser, enabling command/code injection (CWE-94). A remote, unauthenticated attacker triggers it by getting the server to parse a specially crafted image (e.g., through file-upload features), with no credentials or user interaction required. Successful exploitation yields arbitrary command execution on the GitLab server, exposing source code, credentials, CI/CD data, and the wider network (CVSS 10.0, scope-changed). All self-managed GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition deployments on affected versions are exposed. The flaw is actively exploited in the wild: it is on CISA's KEV with known ransomware use, public PoCs exist, and 2021 campaigns used it for ransomware, cryptojacking, and access brokering against GitLab servers.

Do: Upgrade immediately to the patched releases - 13.10.3 or later, or the corresponding 13.9.6/13.8.6/13.7.9 backports - per vendor instructions, as required for KEV entries. Until patched, restrict network access to internet-facing GitLab instances and verify the bundled ExifTool is current. Hunt for signs of compromise (suspicious processes or cron jobs, cryptominers, webshells, new SSH keys, unexpected outbound connections), given documented ransomware and cryptojacking abuse.

CVE-2024-27198 is an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in JetBrains TeamCity, JetBrains' self-hosted on-premises continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) server, that allows an unauthenticated attacker to circumvent login and perform administrative actions. It is triggered by sending specially crafted requests to the TeamCity web interface that dodge the authentication check, after which the attacker gains full administrator access. With admin access, an attacker can create administrative accounts, alter build configurations, plant code that runs on the server and its build agents, and reach source code, credentials, and secrets stored in the CI/CD environment, which ransomware operators have already used as an entry point. Any TeamCity deployment an attacker can reach over the network is affected, with internet-facing instances at the highest risk. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to the KEV catalog on 2024-03-07 with known ransomware use, and EPSS estimates a 99.9% probability of exploitation within 30 days.

Do: Upgrade immediately to the patched TeamCity release per JetBrains' advisory (2023.11.4 or later fixes this vulnerability), or apply vendor mitigations or discontinue use per CISA guidance if patching is not possible. Audit instances for unexpected administrator accounts, modified build configurations, and other signs of compromise, since ransomware operators are known to be actively exploiting this bug. Restrict TeamCity's network exposure to trusted users and networks until the update is applied.

CyberPanel versions through 2.3.6, and 2.3.7 before commit 1c0c6cb, contain an OS command injection flaw (CWE-78) in the getresetstatus functions of dns/views.py and ftp/views.py. Because the security middleware (secMiddleware) only enforces authentication on POST requests, a remote unauthenticated attacker can send a GET request to /dns/getresetstatus or /ftp/getresetstatus and inject shell metacharacters into the statusfile parameter, executing arbitrary commands as the service. Successful exploitation yields full command execution on the hosting server with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CVSS 9.8). Any internet-exposed CyberPanel instance, commonly used by web hosts to manage DNS and FTP services, is affected. The flaw was mass-exploited in the wild in October 2024 by the PSAUX ransomware group against roughly 22,000 CyberPanel instances, and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-12-04 with ransomware use confirmed.

Do: Upgrade CyberPanel to a build that includes commit 1c0c6cb or later (2.3.7 alone is unpatched), per vendor instructions, or discontinue/restrict use of the product per CISA's KEV required action. Check web access logs for GET requests to /dns/getresetstatus and /ftp/getresetstatus from unauthenticated sources and review servers for PSAUX ransomware indicators. If immediate patching is not possible, restrict panel endpoints to trusted networks and block unauthenticated GET access to the affected routes.

CVE-2024-56145 is an improper code-injection flaw (CWE-94) in Craft CMS that allows remote code execution over the network without authentication. The flaw is triggered on installations where the PHP configuration option `register_argc_argv` is enabled, a common setting, exposing an RCE vector to unauthenticated attackers. Successful exploitation gives attackers high-impact control over the host, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact per the CVSS 4.0 score of 9.3. Users of Craft CMS 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x prior to the fixed releases are affected; the flaw has been added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (as of 2025-06-02), carries a 97.4% EPSS probability of exploitation within 30 days, and has a public proof-of-concept available.

Do: Upgrade Craft CMS to version 3.9.14, 4.13.2, or 5.5.2 as applicable to your major version. If upgrading is not immediately possible, set register_argc_argv=Off in php.ini and restart the PHP service to mitigate. Because the issue is in CISA's KEV catalog with active exploitation, check internet-facing Craft CMS instances for signs of compromise and apply required BOD 22-01 timelines if applicable.

The WordPress File Upload plugin by Iptanus contains an unauthenticated path traversal flaw (CWE-22) in its wfu_file_downloader.php script, affecting every plugin version up to and including 4.24.11. Because the vulnerable endpoint is reachable over the network without authentication or user interaction, a remote attacker can send crafted requests that traverse outside the originally intended directory. Successful exploitation lets the attacker read sensitive files outside the intended directory and delete arbitrary files, which can expose configuration secrets or disrupt the targeted site. Only WordPress sites running the affected plugin on PHP 7.4 or earlier are exploitable; installations hosted on newer PHP versions are not affected. No public proof-of-concept or confirmed in-the-wild exploitation is known yet, but an EPSS of 93.3% (100th percentile) indicates a very high likelihood of exploitation within the next 30 days.

Do: Update WordPress File Upload to the latest release, i.e., any version newer than 4.24.11, as the primary fix. If an immediate update is not possible, upgrade the host to PHP 8.0 or later, which removes the exploitation condition, and review web logs for requests to wfu_file_downloader.php. Also check the server for unexpected file modifications or deletions.

CVE-2025-31324 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) unrestricted file upload flaw (CWE-434) in the Visual Composer Metadata Uploader component of SAP NetWeaver, which lacks proper authorization. An unauthenticated attacker can send crafted upload requests over the network to the Metadata Uploader endpoint and plant malicious executable binaries, such as webshells, on the host. Executing the uploaded files yields remote code execution with full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, enabling system compromise, lateral movement, and ransomware deployment. Any organization running the affected SAP NetWeaver component is at risk, with the greatest exposure for instances reachable from the internet. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA KEV on 2025-04-29, a public PoC exists, and researchers and media report active attacks, including by Chinese-linked actors deploying Golang-based implants on Linux systems and known ransomware use, often chained with CVE-2025-42999.

Do: Apply SAP's patch for CVE-2025-31324 (released in the April 2025 security updates) and follow the vendor mitigation instructions per CISA KEV/BOD 22-01 requirements. As interim mitigation, restrict or disable the Visual Composer Metadata Uploader endpoint and ensure it is not reachable from the internet; also patch the related CVE-2025-42999 since the flaws are being chained. Check affected hosts for uploaded webshells, Golang-based implants, and signs of ransomware activity.