Apache Struts REST Plugin can potentially allow a DoS attack

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS

7.5 · CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS

• CVE-2018-1327: 8.65% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 95.12 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

The Apache Struts REST Plugin is using XStream library which is vulnerable and allow perform a DoS attack when using a malicious request with specially crafted XML payload. Upgrade to the Apache Struts version 2.5.16 and switch to an optional Jackson XML handler as described here http://struts.apache.org/plugins/rest/#custom-contenttypehandlers. Another option is to implement a custom XML handler based on the Jackson XML handler from the Apache Struts 2.5.16.

Published by the source

16 Oct 2018, 19:35 UTC

Last modified by the source

5 Jan 2024, 16:06 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 16:24 UTC

1. Revision 1 · created · 26 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2018-1327

Advisory: Apache Struts REST Plugin can potentially allow a DoS attack
IDs: CVE-2018-1327, GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2018-1327 (revision 1, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 16:24 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.5)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin 2.5.16. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- Maven org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin: affected >= 2.1.1, < 2.5.16; fixed in 2.5.16

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- Maven org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin: check the installed version with your package manager.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9 (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-38cr-2ph5-frr9 lists affected ranges: Maven org.apache.struts:struts2-rest-plugin >=2.1.1 <2.5.16)

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