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Known exploited vulnerability

CVE-2016-3081

highCVSS 3.1 8.1In CISA KEVEPSS 97%Published · n/a

The short answer

CVE-2016-3081 affects n/a n/a and is rated high (CVSS 8.1). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-10-08: attackers are using it, so patch it first. Fixed versions are published for struts2-core (2.3.20.3, 2.3.24.3, 2.3.28.1).

What it is

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.

Severity

8.1 high

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploited (CISA KEV)

Yes, since Oct 8, 2026

Federal due date Oct 11, 2026

EPSS, next 30 days

97%

Higher than 100% of scored CVEs

How it can be exploited

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
High
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality impact
High
Integrity impact
High
Availability impact
High

What CISA says to do

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…

Affected packages and fixed versions

PackageEcosystemFixed inAdvisory
org.apache.struts:struts2-coreMaven2.3.20.3, 2.3.24.3, 2.3.28.1GHSA-8c6j-ffmf-q6vm

Is it in your code? Drop your lockfile into the free vulnerability check, or let vulnerability watch check your repository every day and open the upgrade as a pull request.

Affected products

n/a. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2016-3081 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-3081 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-10-08, with a federal remediation due date of 2026-10-11.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3081?

Upgrade to a fixed version: org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) 2.3.20.3 or 2.3.24.3 or 2.3.28.1. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…

From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.

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