CVE-2008-6504 — xwork
CVE-2008-6504 is a Improper Input Validation vulnerability in com.opensymphony:xwork. 4 public exploit references exist, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for com.opensymphony:xwork — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Improper Input Validation in OpenSymphony XWork
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Real-World Exposure
com.opensymphony:xwork☕com.opensymphony:xworkReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Maven packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to execute Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) statements and modify server-side context objects, as demonstrated by use of a \u0023 representation for the # character.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | com.opensymphony:xwork | all versions | 2.0.6com.opensymphony:xwork:2.0.6 |
| ☕Maven | com.opensymphony:xwork | ≥ 2.1.0&&< 2.1.2 | 2.1.2com.opensymphony:xwork:2.1.2 |
Research use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
XWork < 2.0.11.2 - 'ParameterInterceptor' Class OGNL Security Bypass
by Meder Kydyraliev · Nov 4, 2008
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for com.opensymphony:xwork, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update com.opensymphony:xwork to 2.0.6 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2008-6504 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 Security's impact-aware SCA analyses which vulnerable code paths your application actually calls, so a match like CVE-2008-6504 can be triaged on real exposure rather than presence alone.
Tailored to CVE-2008-6504. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2008-6504 in your dependencies?
O3 Security finds CVE-2008-6504 across Maven dependencies, including transitive ones, and its impact-aware SCA ranks findings by whether your code actually calls the vulnerable path.