This article explains how a JavaEE project integrates JSP front‑end with Struts2, Spring, and MyBatis on the backend, describes the three‑tier architecture, the role of each layer, database communication with Oracle, and the evolution from classic MVC to Web 2.0 approaches.
The article provides a detailed comparison between Struts2 and SpringMVC, highlighting differences in request handling, interceptor mechanisms, memory usage, configuration complexity, Ajax integration, validation support, seamless Spring integration, design philosophy, development efficiency, performance, and configuration requirements.
A Linux server behind multiple firewalls was compromised by a Struts2 remote code execution flaw (CVE‑2017‑5638), leading to a hidden cron job that repeatedly launched a Bitcoin mining script, illustrating how outdated frameworks can expose systems to stealthy resource‑draining attacks.
This article recounts a recent incident where a Struts2 vulnerability was exploited to run mining malware, detailing the discovery process, forensic analysis of services, processes, network listeners, and the step‑by‑step remediation measures including script‑based scans, permission hardening, and upgrading Struts2.
The article shows how attackers automate mass exploitation of widely‑known flaws—scanning the Internet for open MongoDB, Redis, ElasticSearch or Struts2 services, using unauthenticated access or public PoCs to encrypt data, execute code, or build botnets, and stresses that timely patching and secure defaults are essential to stop such N‑day attacks.
