CVE-2016-2510: BeanShell (bsh) before 2.0b6, when included on the classpath by an application that uses Java serialization or

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HIGH 8.1REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-2510 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting beanshell, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

BeanShell (bsh) before 2.0b6, when included on the classpath by an application that uses Java serialization or XStream, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted serialized data, related to XThis.Handler.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	70.4% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-19
Published	2016-04-07
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: beanshell · canonical · debian

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-04-07 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:44 UTCUpdated Record last modified

beanshell beanshell DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0 · 2.0 beta1 · 2.0 beta4 · 2.0 beta5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison beanshell sudo apt install beanshell=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold beanshell

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

dnf --showduplicates list beanshell sudo dnf downgrade beanshell-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add beanshell

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 15.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2016-2510?

beanshell: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-2510 being exploited?

CVE-2016-2510 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-2016-2510 affect?

CVE-2016-2510 affects beanshell, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). BeanShell (bsh) before 2.0b6, when included on the classpath by an application that uses Java serialization or XStream, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted serialized data, related to XThis.Handler.

How urgent is CVE-2016-2510?

Priority 68/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

References

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