CVE-2016-3081: Apache Struts Command Injection Vulnerability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities

Name

Apache Struts Command Injection Vulnerability

Vendor

Apache

Product

Struts

Added to the catalog

2026-10-08

Due date for US federal agencies

2026-10-11

Weaknesses

CWE-77

Catalog version

2026.10.30

Apache Struts contains a command injection vulnerability that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via method:prefix when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled.

Required action (CISA)

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.

Ransomware use: CISA does not mark known use of this vulnerability in ransomware campaigns.

Links in CISA's notes

• https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-032
• https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
• https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3081

Read on 2026-11-02T23:39:54.475Z under licence cisa-kev-cc0@b0067899 from https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/feeds/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json

NVD analysis

Status

Analyzed

Published

2016-04-26T14:59:02.207

Last modified

2026-10-09T14:43:05.703

Weaknesses

CWE-77

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.

References

• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.html (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527-01-struts2-en (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.html (Patch, Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec (Third Party Advisory, Broken Link)
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/87327 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91787 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035665 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.html (Patch, Vendor Advisory)
• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39756/ (Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.html (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527-01-struts2-en (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.html (Patch, Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec (Third Party Advisory, Broken Link)
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec (Third Party Advisory)
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/87327 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91787 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035665 (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.html (Patch, Vendor Advisory)
• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39756/ (Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3081 (US Government Resource)

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

Read on 2026-11-02T23:41:35.381Z under licence nvd-api-terms-of-use@ff2a5288 from https://services.nvd.nist.gov/rest/json/cves/2.0?cveId=CVE-2016-3081

CVE record

Assigner

redhat

State

PUBLISHED

Published

2016-04-26T14:00:00.000Z

Updated

2026-10-09T03:55:30.407Z

Problem types

n/a

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.

References

• 1035665
• https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.html
• http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527-01-struts2-en
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec
• 39756
• 91787
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.html
• 87327
• http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec

Read on 2026-11-03T00:33:33.461Z under licence cve-terms-of-use@81bfa2f3 from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2016/3xxx/CVE-2016-3081.json

Also known as / affected packages

Defensive techniques (MITRE D3FEND)

D3FEND maps these defensive techniques to the weakness (CWE) that NVD lists for this CVE, through the digital artifacts the weakness affects. D3FEND does not say they stop this vulnerability.

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