CVE-2025-68493 — struts2-core
HIGHCVE-2025-68493 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.1) XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in org.apache.struts:struts2-core. EPSS puts its 30-day exploitation probability at 50.4% (99th percentile). A fix is available for org.apache.struts:struts2-core — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Apache Struts, Apache Struts: XXE vulnerability in outdated XWork component
Exploitation Status
No confirmed exploitation observed yet
- CISA’s own triage has not observed active exploitation or public proof-of-concept code for this CVE as of its last assessment.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2025-68493.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
org.apache.struts:struts2-core☕org.apache.struts:struts2-core☕org.apache.struts:struts2-core☕com.opensymphony:xwork☕org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-coreReal-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
Missing XML Validation vulnerability in Apache Struts, Apache Struts.
This issue affects Apache Struts: from 2.0.0 before 2.2.1; Apache Struts: from 2.2.1 through 6.1.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.1.1, which fixes the issue.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | ≥ 2.0.0 | No fix |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | ≥ 2.5.0 | No fix |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | ≥ 6.0.0&&< 6.1.1 | 6.1.1org.apache.struts:struts2-core:6.1.1 |
| ☕Maven | com.opensymphony:xwork | ≥ 2.0.0 | No fix |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core | ≥ 2.2.1 | No fix |
Affected Products
strutsapacheDetection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for org.apache.struts:struts2-core, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
A fix is available for CVE-2025-68493; check the affected-versions list above or the advisory for the patched release of org.apache.struts:struts2-core, then make sure no transitive dependency still pins the vulnerable range.
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 to detect CVE-2025-68493
A community-maintained Nuclei template exists for this CVE. You can scan for it directly:
nuclei -id cve-2025-68493 -u https://target- Template
- Apache Struts XWork - XML External Entity Injection
- Severity
- high
- Impact
- Attackers can disclose sensitive files or cause denial of service by exploiting XML processing.
- Remediation
- Upgrade to version 6.1.1.
Template by ProjectDiscovery nuclei-templates (pussycat0x), MIT licensed. View the full template. Scan only systems you are authorised to test.
Fixing This On Your OS
If you run this on a Linux distribution, patch through your package manager against the distro's own security advisory below — it tracks the exact backported fix for your release, which can ship on a different timeline (and sometimes a different severity) than the upstream project.
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.Source: Red Hat security advisory for CVE-2025-68493 (CC BY 4.0)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2025-68493 in your dependencies?
Find it across Maven, including transitive dependencies.