CVE-2016-4438

Arbitrary code execution in Apache Struts 2

9.8 CriticalPublic exploitFix available

CVE-2016-4438 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Apache Struts, published July 4, 2016. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 16.7%, the 97th percentile. Fixed in org.apache.struts:struts2-core 2.3.29.

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

16.7%Down 28.9 points since Feb 4, 2022

What each source reports

NVD Score used 9.8

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: CVE-2016-4438
CVSS 3.0: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 7.5 HighAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness: CWE-20
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: CVE-2016-4438
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2022-2421 No score

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: EUVD-2022-2421
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-4prj-vw9j-v6pr 9.8

Arbitrary code execution in Apache Struts 2

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: GHSA-4prj-vw9j-v6pr
CVSS 3.0: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-20
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 9.8

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: CVE-2016-4438
CVSS 3.0: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVGHSA-4prj-vw9j-v6pr 9.8

Arbitrary code execution in Apache Struts 2

The REST plugin in Apache Struts 2 2.3.19 through 2.3.28.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted expression.

Record: GHSA-4prj-vw9j-v6pr
CVSS 3.0: 9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-20
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

apache struts

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`org.apache.struts:struts2-core` Maven	2.3.19 up to 2.3.29	2.3.29
`org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin` Maven	2.3.19 up to 2.3.29	2.3.29
`org.apache.struts:struts2-core` Maven	2.3.19 up to 2.3.29, plus listed versions 2.3.202.3.20.12.3.20.32.3.242.3.24.12.3.24.32.3.282.3.28.1	2.3.29
`org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin` Maven	2.3.19 up to 2.3.29, plus listed versions 2.3.202.3.20.12.3.20.32.3.242.3.24.12.3.24.32.3.282.3.28.1	2.3.29

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
Source	Link	Date
PoC in GitHub	jason3e7/CVE-2016-4438	2016-06-16
PoC in GitHub	tafamace/CVE-2016-4438	2018-11-19

History

History
When	Changed	Sources
2026-11-03	aliases	EUVD
2026-11-02	created	CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub

References

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