CVE-2018-11776
Struts Namespace RCE: stopped at runtime
Waratek RASP’s secure runtime rules stop this class of attack out of the box - no application change, no vendor patch, no downtime.
Published August 22, 2018 · Updated October 27, 2025
The vulnerability
Remote code execution via crafted namespace/URL
When alwaysSelectFullNamespace is enabled (directly, or via a plugin such as the Convention Plugin) and results, url tags, or actions omit a namespace while an ancestor package uses no or a wildcard namespace, Struts evaluates attacker-controlled input as an OGNL expression, leading to remote code execution.
Running an affected version? We can help.
Waratek RASP shields the vulnerable code in production - the exploit is blocked at runtime with no library upgrade, no redeploy, and no downtime. We can have you covered fast.
How Waratek RASP stops it
Blocked at runtime by Waratek RASP
Waratek RASP applies a secure runtime rule that covers this whole class of attack out of the box - the exploit is stopped inside the JVM before it ever reaches a dangerous sink.
Runtime, not perimeter
Waratek RASP acts inside the JVM at the exact call that turns input into code, so obfuscated and encoded payloads are caught where a WAF misses them.
No code changes
Protection is applied as a rule at runtime. No source edits, no recompilation, no library upgrade, and no application restart required.
Zero false positives
Rules target the specific unsafe behaviour of the exploit, so legitimate traffic keeps flowing while the attack is blocked and logged.
| Mod | Rules | Enable |
|---|---|---|
| Struts Namespace RCE protectionCVE-2018-11776 · Improper input validation | 1 | |
| SQL Injection protectionQuery manipulation | 4 | |
| Path Traversal protectionUnsafe file access | 3 |
Flip one toggle in the Waratek Portal. The protection deploys to every attached application, with no restart.
Common questions
Struts Namespace RCE FAQ
Is Struts Namespace RCE (CVE-2018-11776) exploitable?
CVE-2018-11776 carries a CVSS 8.1/10 (HIGH) rating and affects Apache Struts 2 2.3 through 2.3.34, and 2.5 through 2.5.16. When alwaysSelectFullNamespace is enabled (directly, or via a plugin such as the Convention Plugin) and results, url tags, or actions omit a namespace while an ancestor package uses no or a wildcard namespace, Struts evaluates attacker-controlled input as an OGNL expression, leading to remote code execution. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
How does Waratek mitigate Struts Namespace RCE (CVE-2018-11776)?
Waratek RASP blocks exploitation of Struts Namespace RCE (CVE-2018-11776) inside the JVM at runtime, with no application code changes, no vendor patch and no restart.
How quickly was Struts Namespace RCE (CVE-2018-11776) exploited after disclosure?
A working exploit for CVE-2018-11776 appeared within 3 days of its NVD disclosure, on August 24, 2018.
Protect your apps in production
Get protected against Struts Namespace RCE - without code changes or redeploying
Book a call and we’ll show you how Waratek RASP shields your running applications against CVE-2018-11776 and attacks like it, and get you covered in production.