CVE-2016-3087 Apache Struts vulnerable to arbitrary remote code execution due to improper input validation

What is CVE-2016-3087?

CVE-2016-3087 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Apache Struts, published on 7 Jun 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 vectors related to an ! (exclamation mark) operator to the REST Plugin.

Weakness: CWE-20

Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-3087?

6 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts2-core. It affects 1 product.

Products include Apache Struts.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3087?

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.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2016-3087 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-3087 exists.

Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module and 2 Exploit-DB entries.

Other vulnerabilities in Apache Struts

• CVE-2020-17530 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2017-9791 Apache Struts 1 Improper Input Validation Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2017-5638 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2012-0391 Apache Struts 2 Improper Input Validation Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2018-11776 Apache Struts Remote Code Execution Exploited High 8.1

All Apache Struts vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-mmj6-cjj4-hpr5.