# CVE-2025-54656: Apache Struts Extras: Improper Output Neutralization for Logs

> Attackers can inject fake log entries in Apache Struts Extras, confusing log consumers; the project is retired with no fix available.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 30 Jul 2025
- **Updated:** 4 Nov 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cx25-xg7c-xfm5

## What is CVE-2025-54656?

CVE-2025-54656 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Struts Extras, published on 30 Jul 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** Improper Output Neutralization for Logs vulnerability in Apache Struts.

This issue affects Apache Struts Extras: before 2.

When using LookupDispatchAction, in some cases, Struts may print untrusted input to the logs without any filtering. Specially-crafted input may lead to log output where part of the message masquerades as a separate log line, confusing consumers of the logs (either human or automated). 

As this project is retired, we do not plan to release a version that fixes this issue. Users are recommended to find an alternative or restrict access to the instance to trusted users.

NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.

Weakness: CWE-117 (Improper Output Neutralization for Logs)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-54656?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.struts:struts-extras and struts:struts. It affects 1 product.


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

Products: Apache Struts Extras.

## How do I fix CVE-2025-54656?

Product is end of life, replace it.

## Is CVE-2025-54656 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-54656 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2025-54656 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2025-54656 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Apache Struts Extras, published on 30 Jul 2025. 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-2025-54656 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.struts:struts-extras (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.3.10; no fix listed
- org.apache.struts:struts-extras (Maven): affected all versions up to 1.3.10; no fix listed
- struts:struts (Maven): affected all versions; no fix listed
- struts:struts (Maven): affected all versions; 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-2025-54656/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-54656/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-54656
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-54656
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2025-54656

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-54656/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.