CVE-2013-2251
Confirmed PUBLISHEDApache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL expressions via a parameter with a crafted (1) action:, (2)...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL expressions via a parameter with a crafted (1) action:, (2) redirect:, or (3) redirectAction: prefix.
- CVE Published
- Jul 18, 2013
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 25, 2022
- CVSS
- 9.8 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- 20131023 Apache Struts 2 Command Execution Vulnerability in Multiple Cisco Products tools.cisco.com · Vendor Advisory http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/...
- apache-archiva-ognl-command-exec(90392) exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com · VDB Entry https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90392
- 98445 osvdb.org · VDB Entry http://osvdb.org/98445
- 1032916 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032916
- 61189 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/61189
Show 11 more references
- 1029184 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1029184
- 64758 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/64758
- 20131013 Apache Software Foundation A Subsite Remote command execution seclists.org · Mailing List http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2013/Oct/96
- [oss-security] 20140114 Re: CVE Request: Apache Archiva Remote Command Execution 0day seclists.org · Mailing List http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2014/q1/89
- fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/... fujitsu.com · CVE Record http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/in...
- oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-23679... oracle.com · CVE Record http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-2367936....
- cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2014010087 cxsecurity.com · CVE Record http://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2014010087
- struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-016.html struts.apache.org · CVE Record http://struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-016.html
- archiva.apache.org/security.html archiva.apache.org · CVE Record http://archiva.apache.org/security.html
- oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2014-19729... oracle.com · CVE Record http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2014-1972949....
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/159629/Apache-Struts-2-Remote-Code-Exe... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159629/Apache-Struts-2-Remote-Co...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-03-25 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2013/CVE-2013-2251.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/struts_default_action_mapper.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-03-25 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2023-08-04 02:52:03 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/struts_default_action_mapper.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2013/CVE-2013-2251.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2023-08-04 02:52:03 UTC · 0 stars
Vulnerable environment of CVE-2013-2251 (S2-016) for testing
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
02:52 UTC almost 3 years ago02:52 UTC · almost 3 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
01:00 UTC about 13 years ago01:00 UTC · about 13 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 13 years ago00:00 UTC · over 13 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2013-2251
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2013-2251",
"title": "Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitra...",
"affected_vendor": "Apache",
"affected_product": "Struts",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}