CVE-2013-2251: Struts2 core Code Injection Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2013-2251 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) code injection vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Struts2 core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves code injection in apache struts. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.3.15.1.
CVE-2013-2251 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.8
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H).
How to Fix CVE-2013-2251
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Struts2 core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.struts</groupId>
<artifactId>struts2-core</artifactId>
<version>2.3.15.1</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.strutsHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2013-2251, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.strutsAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Struts2 core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.3.15.1), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.struts command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In Struts2 core, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2013-2251 Affected Struts2 core Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.apache.struts:struts2-core
|
Maven |
< 2.3.15.1
|
2.3.15.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2013-2251?
Which Struts2 core versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2013-2251?
Is struts2-core affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2013-2251?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2013-2251?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2013-2251?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-47qp-8v9g-39hp",
"modified" : "2025-10-22T19:33:21Z",
"published" : "2022-05-13T01:14:26Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2013-2251" ],
"summary" : "Code injection in Apache Struts",
"details" : "The Struts 2 DefaultActionMapper supports a method for short-circuit navigation state changes by prefixing parameters with \"action:\" or \"redirect:\", followed by a desired navigational target expression. This mechanism was intended to help with attaching navigational information to buttons within forms.\n\nIn Struts 2 before 2.3.15.1 the information following \"action:\", \"redirect:\" or \"redirectAction:\" is not properly sanitized. Since said information will be evaluated as OGNL expression against the value stack, this introduces the possibility to inject server side code.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.apache.struts:struts2-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.3.15.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-2251"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/3cfe34fefedcf0fdcfcb061c0aea34a715b7de6"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts/commit/630e1ba065a8215c4e9ac03bfb09be9d655c2b6e"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90392"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/apache/struts"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/WW-4140"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-2251"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://archiva.apache.org/security.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2014010087"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159629/Apache-Struts-2-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2013/Oct/96"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2014/q1/89"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-016.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20131023-struts2"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/interstage-bpm-analytics-201301e.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2014-1972949.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-2367936.html"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20", "CWE-74" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-11-03T19:11:13Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2013-07-20T03:37:00Z"
}
}