# CVE-2016-1181: Improper Input Validation in Apache Struts

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service via a race condition in multipart request handling.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 Jul 2016
- **Updated:** 15 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-7jw3-5q4w-89qg

## What is CVE-2016-1181?

CVE-2016-1181 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 4 Jul 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

ActionServlet.java in Apache Struts 1 1.x through 1.3.10 mishandles multithreaded access to an ActionForm instance, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (unexpected memory access) via a multipart request, a related issue to CVE-2015-0899.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-1181?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts-core and struts:struts. It affects 3 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.struts:struts-core` | Maven | All versions to 1.3.10 | None |
| `org.apache.struts:struts-core` | Maven | All versions to 1.3.10 | None |
| `struts:struts` | Maven | All versions to 1.2.9 | None |
| `struts:struts` | Maven | All versions to 1.2.9 | None |

Products: Apache Struts, Oracle Banking Platform, Oracle Portal.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-1181?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2016-1181 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-1181 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Struts

- [CVE-2020-17530](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-17530/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-9791](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-9791/): Apache Struts 1 Improper Input Validation (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2017-5638](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5638/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-0391](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0391/): Apache Struts 2 Improper Input Validation (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-11776](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11776/): Apache Struts Remote Code Execution (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-1181 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-1181 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 4 Jul 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-1181 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.struts:struts-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.3.10; no fix listed
- org.apache.struts:struts-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.3.10; no fix listed
- struts:struts (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.2.9; no fix listed
- struts:struts (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.2.9; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1181/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1181/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-1181
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-1181
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-1181

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1181/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.