# CVE-2018-11776: Apache Struts vulnerable to remote command execution (RCE) due to improper input validation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-11776-apache-struts-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2018-10-18. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2018-11776 · Severity: critical · CVSS 3 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2018-10-18

Apache Struts is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) when the alwaysSelectFullNamespace option is enabled. The flaw occurs when results or URL tags are used without a defined namespace while the upper package configuration uses no namespace or a wildcard namespace, allowing for malicious OGNL expression evaluation.

Technologies: [Apache Struts](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/struts), [org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-struts-struts2-core). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache), [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-11776 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2018-11776 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2018-11776?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 3, published 18 October 2018.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.0.4,fixed=2.3.35.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-11776?** Yes. org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): upgrade to 2.3.35 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2018-11776 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-11776?** Check whether you run Apache Struts or org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven): upgrade to 2.3.35 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.struts:struts2-core to 2.3.35 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- Apache Struts 2.3 to 2.3.34, 2.5 to 2.5.16

## Identifiers

- CVE-2018-11776
- GHSA-cr6j-3jp9-rw65

## Timeline

- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2021-11-03: disclosed

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