# CVE-2016-3081: Apache Struts Command Injection > Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via method prefix when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled in Apache Struts. - **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`) - **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 8 Oct 2026 (CISA KEV) - **Login needed:** Not needed - **Attackable:** Over the internet - **Victim action needed:** Not needed - **Fix available:** Yes - **Published:** 26 Apr 2016 - **Updated:** 9 Oct 2026 - **Also known as:** GHSA-8c6j-ffmf-q6vm ## What is CVE-2016-3081? CVE-2016-3081 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 26 Apr 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. ### Official 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. Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command) ## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-3081? 6 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts2-core. It affects 20 products. | Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.19 | 2.3.20.3 | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.19 | 2.3.20.3 | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.21 | 2.3.24.3 | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.21 | 2.3.24.3 | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.25 | 2.3.28.1 | | `org.apache.struts:struts2-core` | Maven | From 2.3.25 | 2.3.28.1 | Products: Apache Struts, Huawei Agile Controller-Campus Firmware, Huawei Anyoffice, Huawei Firehunter6000 Firmware, Huawei Logcenter, Huawei Oceanstor 18500 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 18500f Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 18800 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 18800f Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 5300 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 5500 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 5600 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 5800 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 6800 V3 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor 9000 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor N8500 Firmware, Huawei Oceanstor Onebox Firmware, Oracle Flexcube Private Banking, Oracle Micros Retail Xbri Loss Prevention, Oracle Siebel E-Billing. ## How do I fix CVE-2016-3081? Upgrade org.apache.struts:struts2-core to a fixed version for your release line: 2.3.20.3, 2.3.24.3 or 2.3.28.1. US federal agencies must fix it by 11 Oct 2026. ## Is CVE-2016-3081 being exploited? Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-3081 in the wild since at least 8 Oct 2026. Public exploit code: - Apache Struts Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution (metasploit) - Apache Struts - Dynamic Method Invocation Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb) - Apache S2-032 Struts - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2016/CVE-2016-3081.yaml ## 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-2016-3081 and fix it if it is affected. What it is: CVE-2016-3081 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 26 Apr 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim. Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2016-3081 in the wild since at least 8 Oct 2026. Affected packages and fixed versions: - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.19; fixed in 2.3.20.3 - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.19; fixed in 2.3.20.3 - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.21; fixed in 2.3.24.3 - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.21; fixed in 2.3.24.3 - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.25; fixed in 2.3.28.1 - org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): affected from 2.3.25; fixed in 2.3.28.1 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-2016-3081/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3081/index.md) ``` ## Sources - CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-3081 - NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3081 - OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-3081 --- From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3081/ Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.