CVE-2013-2251 — Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL…¶
Key facts
CVE-2013-2251 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.
Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog
CVE-2013-2251 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
| CVE | CVE-2013-2251 |
| Severity | Critical (9.8) |
| CISA KEV | Actively exploited (added 2022-03-25) |
| Detection / prevention | — |
| PoC | poc.py |
| Source | 2013/CVE-2013-2251/ |
Details¶
English | 한국어
Description¶
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.
Vulnerability Details¶
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CVE ID | CVE-2013-2251 |
| CVSS Score | 9.8 |
Proof of Concept¶
Download¶
# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2013/CVE-2013-2251/poc.py
Usage¶
# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>
# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>
⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.
Test Lab¶
This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.
Quick Start¶
# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2013-2251
# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d
# Run tests
./run-tests.sh # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1 # Windows PowerShell
Application Endpoints¶
| Application | URL | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerable App | http://localhost:8080 | Shows vulnerability |
| Patched App | http://localhost:8081 | Demonstrates fix |
Directory Structure¶
├── README.md # English documentation
├── README_KO.md # Korean documentation
├── poc.py # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1 # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/ # Vulnerable version
│ ├── app.py
│ ├── Dockerfile
│ └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/ # Fixed version
├── app.py
├── Dockerfile
└── requirements.txt
References¶
- http://archiva.apache.org/security.html
- http://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2014010087
- http://osvdb.org/98445
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159629/Apache-Struts-2-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2013/Oct/96
- http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2014/q1/89
- http://struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-016.html
- http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20131023-struts2
- http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/interstage-bpm-analytics-201301e.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2014-1972949.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-2367936.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/61189
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/64758
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1029184
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032916
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90392
- http://archiva.apache.org/security.html
- http://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2014010087
- http://osvdb.org/98445
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159629/Apache-Struts-2-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2013/Oct/96
- http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2014/q1/89
- http://struts.apache.org/release/2.3.x/docs/s2-016.html
- http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20131023-struts2
- http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/interstage-bpm-analytics-201301e.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2014-1972949.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-2367936.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/61189
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/64758
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1029184
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1032916
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90392
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-2251
Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-05T02:29:28.60737382
Frequently asked questions¶
What is CVE-2013-2251?¶
CVE-2013-2251 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: Apache Struts 2.0.0 through 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OGNL…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.
How do I detect CVE-2013-2251?¶
Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.
How do I block or mitigate CVE-2013-2251?¶
Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.
Is CVE-2013-2251 actively exploited?¶
Yes. CVE-2013-2251 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-25, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.
For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.