CVE-2008-6504: ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Strut

Q: How do I fix CVE-2008-6504?

xwork: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; struts: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2008-6504 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6504 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2008-6504 affect?

CVE-2008-6504 affects xwork, struts. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to ex

Q: How urgent is CVE-2008-6504?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This week

MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-6504 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting xwork, struts. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to execute Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) statements and modify server-side context objects, as demonstrated by use of a \u0023 representation for the # character.

Why this priority

EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	38.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2009-03-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: apache · opensymphony

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-23 14:19 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

opensymphony xwork DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.0 · 2.0.1 · 2.0.2 · 2.0.3 · 2.0.4 · 2.0.5 · 2.1.0 · 2.1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xwork || rpm -q xwork || xwork --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xwork sudo apt install xwork=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold xwork

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list xwork sudo dnf downgrade xwork-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add xwork

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

apache struts DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.0 · 2.0.2 · 2.0.3 · 2.0.4 · 2.0.5 · 2.0.6 · 2.0.7 · 2.0.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy struts || rpm -q struts || struts --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison struts sudo apt install struts=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold struts

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list struts sudo dnf downgrade struts-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add struts

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: XWork < 2.0.11.2 - 'ParameterInterceptor' Class OGNL Security Bypass

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2008-6504?

xwork: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; struts: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-6504 being exploited?

CVE-2008-6504 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2008-6504 affect?

CVE-2008-6504 affects xwork, struts. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). ParametersInterceptor in OpenSymphony XWork 2.0.x before 2.0.6 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2, as used in Apache Struts and other products, does not properly restrict # (pound sign) references to context objects, which allows remote attackers to ex

How urgent is CVE-2008-6504?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Struts vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2011-2088 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE XWork 2.2.1 in Apache Struts 2.2.1, and OpenSymphony XWork in OpenSymphony WebWork, allows remote attackers to
CVE-2011-1772 LOW 2.6 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in XWork in Apache Struts 2.x before 2.2.3, and OpenSympho
CVE-2007-4556 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Struts support in OpenSymphony XWork before 1.2.3, and 2.x before 2.0.4, as used in WebWork and Apache Struts,

References

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