XML injection in Apache Struts
Priority MEDIUM 44CWE-91Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub.
Summary
The Apache Struts REST Plugin is using XStream library which is vulnerable and allow perform a DoS attack when using a malicious request with specially crafted XML payload. Upgrade to the Apache Struts version 2.5.16 and switch to an optional Jackson XML handler as described here http://struts.apache.org/plugins/rest/#custom-contenttypehandlers. Another option is to implement a custom XML handler based on the Jackson XML handler from the Apache Struts 2.5.16.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.08647 95th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (Maven): 2.5.16
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Struts | Apache Struts 2.1.1 to 2.5.14.1 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (Maven) | 2.1.1 to before 2.5.16 | 2.5.16 | Patch available | GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9 |
- Apache Struts VendorApache Affected Apache Struts 2.1.1 to 2.5.14.1 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (Maven) Vendor— Affected 2.1.1 to before 2.5.16 Fixed in 2.5.16 Patch available GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9 org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin (Maven) Fixed in 2.5.16 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 8 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat JBoss Data Virtualization 6
- Red Hat JBoss Fuse Integration Service 2
- Red Hat JBoss Fuse Service Works 6
- Red Hat JBoss Operations Network 2
- Red Hat JBoss Operations Network 3
- Red Hat Satellite 5
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-1327
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9
- 2026-10-11 EPSS moved to the 95th–99th percentile
References
Advisory 3
Other 11
- [struts-issues] 20201207 [jira] [Created] (WW-5105) Tracking the fix commit of CVE-2005-3745 and CVE-2018-1327
- [struts-issues] 20201207 [jira] [Updated] (WW-5105) Tracking the fix commit of CVE-2005-3745 and CVE-2018-1327
- https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/4260bee634cb606be6071bce2383fddb510608aa
- https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/67ecf3a21608e20449bcb7895b22204b400fecd4
- https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/9260720568cee9e868d2899228eceed0c3359323
- https://github.com/apache/struts
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r02c2d634fa74209d941c90f9a4cd36a6f12366ca65f9b90446ff2de3@%3Cissues.struts.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf482c101a88445d73cc2e89dbf7f16ae00a4aa79a544a1e72b2326db@%3Cissues.struts.apache.org%3E
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180330-0001
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200227124859/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103516
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200923124543/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040575
More Apache Struts vulnerabilities
- TI-2020-13278 Expression language injection in Apache Struts KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2017-07171 Improper input validation in Apache Struts KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2017-03639 Improper handling of exceptional conditions in Apache Struts KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2013-02013 Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2012-00357 The ExceptionDelegator component in Apache Struts before 2.2.3.1 interprets parameter… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2018-08433 Improper input validation in Apache Struts KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
Sources
- CVE-2018-1327 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-1327 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-1327 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences