CVE-2016-3081
Confirmed PUBLISHEDApache Struts 2.3.19 to 2.3.20.2, 2.3.21 to 2.3.24.1, and 2.3.25 to 2.3.28, when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, allow remote attackers to...
Not yet in CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize immediate patching and validate internet-facing exposure. Monitor for matching exploitation attempts in your environment.
At a Glance
Apache Struts 2.3.19 to 2.3.20.2, 2.3.21 to 2.3.24.1, and 2.3.25 to 2.3.28, when Dynamic Method Invocation is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via method: prefix, related to chained expressions.
- CVE Published
- Apr 26, 2016
- Exploitation Reported
- Jun 27, 2026
- CVSS
- 8.1 High
- EPSS
- 93.2%
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- 39756 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39756/
- 1035665 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035665
- 91787 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91787
- 87327 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/87327
- struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.html struts.apache.org · CVE Record https://struts.apache.org/docs/s2-032.html
Show 6 more references
- huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160... huawei.com · CVE Record http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20160527...
- oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-288... oracle.com · CVE Record http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-288172...
- oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-288... oracle.com · CVE Record http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-288172...
- rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec rapid7.com · CVE Record http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/http/struts_dmi_exec
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dynamic-Me... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136856/Apache-Struts-2.3.28-Dyna...
- rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec rapid7.com · CVE Record http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize immediate patching and validate internet-facing exposure. Monitor for matching exploitation attempts in your environment.
- Review sensor telemetry for request paths, attacker IPs, and payload patterns that may inform detection and exposure validation.
- 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 |
|---|---|
| KEVIntel First | 2026-07-23 09:37 UTC |
Operational indicators for this CVE are listed on the Detection tab.
Observed Exploitation Attempts
Exploitation attempts against this vulnerability observed first-hand by KEVIntel private honeypots over the last 30 days.
- Attempts Observed
- 40
- Unique Attacker IPs
- 21
- Attacker Countries
- 🇨🇦 🇩🇪 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇫🇷 🇮🇳 🇳🇱 🇵🇱 🇺🇸 🇻🇳
- Sensors Observed
- 4
Exploitation Attempts Over the Last 28 Days
First observed (all time) 2026-06-27 09:32 UTC · Last observed 2026-07-23 09:00 UTC
See more exploitation detail
- Pro — sensor software/region breakdown and 24h/7d window summaries.
- Enterprise — raw attacker IPs, request paths, User-Agents, and payloads.
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
Attacker IP IoCs observed in KEVIntel sensors are available to Pro and Enterprise accounts on the Detection tab and through the Pro API.
Learn about Pro API accessObserved Detection Signals (30d)
Aggregate counts from KEVIntel sensor telemetry for this CVE.
- Distinct request paths
- 1
- Distinct User-Agents
- 24
The specific request paths and User-Agents attackers are using are available on Pro and Enterprise plans.
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2016/CVE-2016-3081.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec.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:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/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 2026-06-27 09:32:41 UTC · KEVIntel
Active exploitation observed
Recorded 2026-06-27 09:32:41 UTC · KEVIntel sensor
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2025-04-28 15:02:23 UTC · Nuclei Templates
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/struts_dmi_exec.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2016/CVE-2016-3081.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:32 UTC 26 days ago09:32 UTC · 26 days ago
Observed by KEVIntel sensors
Evidence-backed exploitation signal
-
09:32 UTC 26 days ago09:32 UTC · 26 days ago
Indicators of compromise added (21)
Indicators of compromise recorded
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
14:00 UTC about 10 years ago14:00 UTC · about 10 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 10 years ago00:00 UTC · over 10 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-2016-3081
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2016-3081",
"title": "Apache Struts 2.3.19 to 2.3.20.2, 2.3.21 to 2.3.24.1, and 2.3.25 to 2.3.28, w...",
"affected_vendor": "Apache",
"affected_product": "Struts",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.1,
"epss_score": 0.93249,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": true
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}