CVE-2026-73633: CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption in Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts
Uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in the JSON plugin of Apache Struts. When an application is configured to populate actions from a JSON request body, the plugin reads that body into memory without bounding how much it will accept, so a single request can exhaust the heap and deny service to other users. The plugin's configurable JSON input length limit does not bound this read. The JSON plugin is an optional component; applications that do not use it, or use it without enabling JSON request-body handling, are not affected. This issue affects Apache Struts: from 2.1.8 through 2.3.37, from 2.5.0 through 2.5.33, from 6.0.0 through 6.10.0, from 7.0.0 through 7.2.1. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.11.0 or 7.3.0, which fixes the issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-73633 is a vulnerability in the Apache Struts JSON plugin where the plugin reads JSON request bodies into memory without an effective upper bound on size, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption (heap exhaustion). This can cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects Apache Struts versions >=2.1.8 <=2.3.37, >=2.5.0 <=2.5.33, >=6.0.0 <=6.10.0, and >=7.0.0 <=7.2.1. The JSON plugin is optional and only impacts applications that enable JSON request-body handling. The issue is fixed in Apache Struts versions 6.11.0 and 7.3.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker can send a single JSON request with a large body that the plugin reads into memory without effective size limits, potentially exhausting the application's heap memory. This can cause denial of service by preventing the application from servicing legitimate users. The impact is limited to applications using the JSON plugin with JSON request-body handling enabled.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users should upgrade affected Apache Struts versions to 6.11.0 or 7.3.0, where the vulnerability is fixed. If upgrading is not immediately possible, disabling the JSON plugin or disabling JSON request-body handling can mitigate exposure. Patch status is not explicitly stated beyond recommending upgrade versions; therefore, check the vendor advisory for the latest remediation guidance.
CVE-2026-73633: CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption in Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts
Description
Uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in the JSON plugin of Apache Struts. When an application is configured to populate actions from a JSON request body, the plugin reads that body into memory without bounding how much it will accept, so a single request can exhaust the heap and deny service to other users. The plugin's configurable JSON input length limit does not bound this read. The JSON plugin is an optional component; applications that do not use it, or use it without enabling JSON request-body handling, are not affected. This issue affects Apache Struts: from 2.1.8 through 2.3.37, from 2.5.0 through 2.5.33, from 6.0.0 through 6.10.0, from 7.0.0 through 7.2.1. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.11.0 or 7.3.0, which fixes the issue.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
pkg:maven/Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.struts:struts2-json-pluginRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-73633 is a vulnerability in the Apache Struts JSON plugin where the plugin reads JSON request bodies into memory without an effective upper bound on size, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption (heap exhaustion). This can cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects Apache Struts versions >=2.1.8 <=2.3.37, >=2.5.0 <=2.5.33, >=6.0.0 <=6.10.0, and >=7.0.0 <=7.2.1. The JSON plugin is optional and only impacts applications that enable JSON request-body handling. The issue is fixed in Apache Struts versions 6.11.0 and 7.3.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker can send a single JSON request with a large body that the plugin reads into memory without effective size limits, potentially exhausting the application's heap memory. This can cause denial of service by preventing the application from servicing legitimate users. The impact is limited to applications using the JSON plugin with JSON request-body handling enabled.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users should upgrade affected Apache Struts versions to 6.11.0 or 7.3.0, where the vulnerability is fixed. If upgrading is not immediately possible, disabling the JSON plugin or disabling JSON request-body handling can mitigate exposure. Patch status is not explicitly stated beyond recommending upgrade versions; therefore, check the vendor advisory for the latest remediation guidance.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-13T11:51:58.659Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7f25c2bf8831d539345183
Added to database: 08/14/2026, 14:27:14 UTC
Last enriched: 08/14/2026, 14:46:37 UTC
Last updated: 08/14/2026, 15:11:57 UTC
Views: 10
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