# CVE-2025-68493: Apache Struts XXE injection in XWork component

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-68493-apache-struts-xxe-injection-in-xwork-component  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-01-11. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-68493 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-01-11

Apache Struts, a widely used framework for creating Java web applications, contains a security flaw in how it handles XML data. An attacker could exploit this to view sensitive files on the server, cause a service outage, or trick the server into making unauthorized requests to other systems. Organizations using affected versions should upgrade to version 6.1.1 to protect their data and maintain service availability.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-68493 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-68493 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-68493?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 11 January 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** com.opensymphony:xwork (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.0.0; org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.0.0,last_affected=2.3.37; org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-core (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.2.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-68493?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2025-68493 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-68493?** Check whether you run com.opensymphony:xwork (Maven), org.apache.struts:struts2-core (Maven) or org.apache.struts.xwork:xwork-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.

## Technical details

A Missing XML Validation vulnerability exists in the XWork component of Apache Struts. The root cause is the improper restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) references during the parsing of XML configurations. A remote attacker can exploit this by providing specially crafted XML input, leading to Information Disclosure (reading local files), Denial of Service (DoS), or Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). The vulnerability affects versions 2.0.0 through 6.1.0. Users are advised to upgrade to version 6.1.1 or apply workarounds such as setting the 'javax.xml.accessExternalDTD' system property to an empty string.

## Affected products

- Apache Struts 2.0.0 to 6.1.0
- Red Hat Fuse 7 7

## Identifiers

- CVE-2025-68493
- GHSA-qcfc-hmrc-59x7

## Timeline

- 2025-12-19: other: Advisory updated on Apache Struts Wiki
- 2026-01-11: disclosed: Public disclosure via oss-security mailing list
- 2026-01-11: advisory: CVE published

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-069](https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/WW/S2-069)
- [http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/11/2](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/11/2)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-68493](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-68493)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2428559](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2428559)
- [https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2025/cve-2025-68493.json](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2025/cve-2025-68493.json)

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