CVE-2016-3081 kev in the critical feed json
Apache Struts RCE Vulnerability
published 2016-04-26 10 y ago modified 2026-10-09 30 d ago also GHSA-8c6j-ffmf-q6vm , EUVD-2022-3161
- cvss
- 8.1
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Exploited
- added 2026-10-08
- epss
- 96.5%
- EPSS 96.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 99.8%
- public exploits
- 2
- Metasploit, Exploit-DB, plus a Nuclei check
Summary
Apache Struts 2.3.19 to 2.3.20.2, 2.3.21 to 2.3.24.1, and 2.3.25 to 2.3.28, when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via method: prefix, related to chained expressions.
Patch / fix
cisa required action Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
- maven org.apache.struts:struts2-core 2.3.20.3, 2.3.24.3, 2.3.28.1
- apache struts 2.3.20.3, 2.3.24.3, 2.3.28.1
Timeline
- Published
- First public exploit (Metasploit exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec)
- CISA SSVC: exploitation active
- Added to CISA KEV
- CISA patch deadline
Known exploited
- Added
- 32 d ago
- Patch by
- 2026-10-11 (29 d ago)
- Ransomware
- Not known
- Required action
- Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
- Vendor, product
- Apache, Struts
- CISA name
- Apache Struts Command Injection Vulnerability
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- Active, exploited in the wild
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- total
- Assessed
- 32 d ago
Exploit prediction
96.53% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
Exploits and checks
- Metasploit exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution metasploit exploit, excellent rank, 2016-04-27
- EDB-39756 Apache Struts - Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) remote, 2016-05-02
- Nuclei template Apache S2-032 Struts - Remote Code Execution nuclei detection template
- packetstormsecurity.com http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.html referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA ADP | 3.1 | 8.1 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 3.1 | 8.1 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| CNA | 3.1 | 8.1 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 2.0 | 9.3 | AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
| GitHub | 3.0 | 8.1 | CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
Affected packages
| ecosystem | package | affected | fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | >=2.3.19, <2.3.20.3 >=2.3.21, <2.3.24.3 >=2.3.25, <2.3.28.1 |
2.3.20.3 2.3.24.3 2.3.28.1 |
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
References
-
struts.apache.org
/docs/s2-032.html
web, patch, vendor-advisory
-
oracle.com
/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.html
web, patch, third-party-advisory
-
exploit-db.com
/exploits/39756/
exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
-
packetstormsecurity.com
/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.html
web, exploit, third-party-advisory
-
securitytracker.com
/id/1035665
vdb-entry, third-party-advisory
-
huawei.com
/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527-01-struts2-en
web, third-party-advisory
-
oracle.com
/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html
web, third-party-advisory
-
rapid7.com
/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec
web, third-party-advisory, broken-link
-
securityfocus.com
/bid/91787
vdb-entry, third-party-advisory
-
securityfocus.com
/bid/87327
vdb-entry, third-party-advisory
-
rapid7.com
/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec
web, third-party-advisory
-
cisa.gov
/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3081
government-resource, us-government-resource
-
nvd.nist.gov
/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3081
advisory
-
github.com
/apache/struts
package
-
web.archive.org
/web/20210123152457/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91787
web
-
web.archive.org
/web/20210225192113/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/87327
web
-
web.archive.org
/web/20210226011418/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035665
web
-
exploit-db.com
/exploits/39756
web
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2016-3081
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-8c6j-ffmf-q6vm
- NVD CVE-2016-3081
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