We discovered a critical remote code execution vulnerability in the web application running on your customer portal. The application is running an outdated version of Apache Struts (2.3.x) that is vulnerable to CVE-2017-5638, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server.

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could:

• Gain complete control of the web server
• Access customer data stored in connected databases
• Use the compromised server as a pivot point to attack internal systems
• Install ransomware or other malware
• Cause significant business disruption and reputational damage

We confirmed remote code execution by injecting a command through the Content-Type header:

Note: Payload truncated for brevity. No data was accessed or modified during testing.

1. Immediately update Apache Struts to the latest version (2.5.x or newer)
2. If immediate patching is not possible, implement WAF rules to block exploitation attempts
3. Review server logs for signs of previous exploitation
4. Consider a full security assessment of the application after patching

CVE-2017-5638 (NVD) • Apache Struts Security Bulletin S2-045

The customer portal accepts connections using TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1, which are outdated protocols with known security vulnerabilities. These protocols are deprecated and no longer considered secure for protecting sensitive data in transit.

Attackers on the same network as a customer (such as public WiFi) could potentially intercept and decrypt sensitive business data transmitted to/from the portal. This is a regulatory compliance concern for protecting sensitive data in transit.

1. Access your web server or load balancer configuration
2. Disable TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 protocols
3. Ensure TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 remain enabled
4. Test with SSLLabs.com to verify changes
5. Note: This may affect users on very old browsers (IE 10 and below)

We found 3 employee email addresses from your organization in public data breach databases. These credentials were exposed in third-party breaches (not a breach of your systems) but pose a risk if employees reuse passwords across services.

If any of these employees use the same password for their work accounts, attackers could gain unauthorized access to your systems. This is especially concerning for organizations where such access could lead to sensitive data exposure.

Note: Actual passwords not displayed for security.

1. Force immediate password reset for the 3 affected accounts
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts if not already enabled
3. Remind employees not to reuse passwords across personal and work accounts
4. Consider implementing a password manager for the organization

The WordPress administrative panel is publicly accessible at a predictable URL (/wp-admin) with no IP restrictions or additional access controls. The login page is exposed to the internet, allowing any attacker to attempt authentication. Combined with the breached credentials identified in ZIO-003, this significantly increases the risk of unauthorized administrative access.

An attacker who gains administrative access to the WordPress panel could:

• Modify website content, potentially defacing the site or injecting malicious code
• Install backdoor plugins to maintain persistent access
• Access sensitive configuration data including database credentials
• Use the compromised server as a staging point for further attacks

1. Restrict access to /wp-admin and /wp-login.php by IP address using server configuration or a firewall
2. Install a WordPress security plugin (Wordfence, Sucuri) to add login protection
3. Enable multi-factor authentication for all admin accounts
4. Consider renaming or hiding the admin URL using a security plugin

The customer portal is missing several recommended HTTP security headers that help protect users from various web-based attacks.

Add the following headers to your web server configuration:

The SSL certificate for your VPN portal expires on February 25, 2026. If not renewed, users will see security warnings and may be unable to connect.

Renew the SSL certificate before expiration. Consider setting up auto-renewal with Let's Encrypt or configuring calendar reminders 30 days before future expirations.

A development server was discovered that allows directory listing. While no sensitive files were exposed, this server should not be publicly accessible.

Restrict access to development servers using IP allowlisting or VPN requirements. Disable directory listing in the web server configuration.

The acme-corp.com domain does not have a DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) policy configured. Without DMARC, attackers can send emails that appear to come from your domain, making phishing attacks against your customers and employees more convincing.

Without a DMARC policy, attackers can spoof emails from your domain to:

• Send phishing emails to customers that appear to originate from your organization
• Conduct business email compromise (BEC) attacks targeting employees or vendors
• Damage brand reputation if spoofed emails are used for fraud or spam

1. Start with a monitoring-only DMARC policy: add a DNS TXT record for _dmarc.acme-corp.com with v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@acme-corp.com
2. Monitor DMARC reports for 2-4 weeks to identify legitimate email sources
3. Gradually tighten the policy from p=none to p=quarantine, then p=reject
4. Ensure all legitimate email sources are covered by SPF and DKIM

DMARC.org • Cloudflare DMARC Guide