Improperly Controlled Modification of Dynamically-Determined Object Attributes in Apache StrutsGHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727
CRITICALGHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727 is a critical-severity (CVSS 9.8) CWE-1321 vulnerability in org.apache.struts:struts2-core. 12 public exploit references exist, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for org.apache.struts:struts2-core — see the affected versions and patch details below.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
GHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727 by exploitation likelihood (EPSS) against impact (CVSS). In the shaded patch-first corner (EPSS 50%+, CVSS 7.0+).
Where this sits among everything scored
Of 395,249 CVEs with a current EPSS score, this one falls in the ≥ 90% band (highlighted). Counts from FIRST.org, log-scaled.
Real-World Exposure
org.apache.struts:struts2-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
Apache Struts 2.0.0 to 2.5.20 forced double OGNL evaluation, when evaluated on raw user input in tag attributes, may lead to remote code execution.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.struts:struts2-core | ≥ 2.0.0&&< 2.5.22 | 2.5.22org.apache.struts:struts2-core:2.5.22 |
Affected Products
strutsapachecommunications policy managementoraclefinancial services data integration huboraclefinancial services market risk measurement and managementoraclemysql enterprise monitororacleResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Apache Struts 2.5.20 - Double OGNL evaluation
by West Shepherd · Nov 17, 2020
Detection & 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
Update org.apache.struts:struts2-core to 2.5.22 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727 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 to detect GHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727
A community-maintained Nuclei template exists for this CVE. You can scan for it directly:
nuclei -id ghsa-wp4h-pvgw-5727 -u https://target- Template
- Apache Struts <=2.5.20 - Remote Code Execution
- Severity
- critical
- Impact
- Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected server.
- Remediation
- Upgrade Apache Struts to a version higher than 2.5.20 or apply the necessary patches provided by the vendor.
Template by ProjectDiscovery nuclei-templates (geeknik), MIT licensed. View the full template. Scan only systems you are authorised to test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-wp4h-pvgw-5727 in your dependencies?
Find it across Maven, including transitive dependencies.