CVE-2016-3081: Apache Struts Command Injection, actively exploited

Description

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.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork

Attack complexityHigh

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionNone

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Apache Struts≥ 2.3.20 < 2.3.20.3 · ≥ 2.3.21 < 2.3.24.3 · ≥ 2.3.25 < 2.3.28.1

Huawei Anyofficev200r005c00 · v200r006c00

Huawei Logcenterv100r001c10 · v100r001c20

Oracle Flexcube Private Banking12.0.1 · 12.0.3 · 12.1.0 · 2.0.0.0

Oracle Micros Retail Xbri Loss Prevention10.0.1 · 10.5.0 · 10.6.0 · 10.7.0

Oracle Siebel E-billing7.1

Huawei Agile Controller-campus Firmwarev100r002c00

Huawei Firehunter6000 Firmwarev100r001c20

Huawei Oceanstor 18500f Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 18500 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 18800f Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 18800 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 5300 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 5500 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 5600 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 5800 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 6800 V3 Firmwarev300r001 · v300r002 · v300r003c00 · v300r003c10

Huawei Oceanstor 9000 Firmwarev100r001c01 · v100r001c30 · v300r005c00

Huawei Oceanstor N8500 Firmwarev200r001c09spc505 · v200r001c91spc205 · v200r001c91spc900 · v200r001c91spc901

Huawei Oceanstor Onebox Firmwarev100r003c10

Remediation

Fixed in

Apache Struts≥ 2.3.20.3

Patch & vendor advisories

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Method-Invocation-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.htmlPatchVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3081US Government Resource
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39756/ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527-01-struts2-enThird Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.htmlPatchThird Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_execThird Party AdvisoryBroken Link
http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_execThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/87327Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

and 2 more references

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2016-3081 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-3081 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 8 Oct 2026.

How severe is CVE-2016-3081?

CVE-2016-3081 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, rated high. EPSS estimates a 96.1% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2016-3081?

Affected products include Apache Struts, Huawei Anyoffice, Huawei Logcenter, Oracle Flexcube Private Banking, Oracle Micros Retail Xbri Loss Prevention, and 15 more.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3081?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Apache Struts 2.3.20.3 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-3081 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

See how prioritisation works Book a demo