CVE-2012-5055: Spring Framework Exposure Of Sensitive Information To Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-3533-rvpc-6x56
Share
CWE-200
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2012-5055 is a MODERATE exposure of sensitive information to vulnerability (CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in spring security. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.0.8, 3.0.8, 3.1.3.

CVE-2012-5055 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2012-5055
GHSA Identifier GHSA-3533-rvpc-6x56
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2012-5055

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Spring Framework dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.springframework.security:spring-security-core fixed: 2.0.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-core</artifactId>
    <version>2.0.8</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-core fixed: 3.0.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.0.8</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-core fixed: 3.1.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.1.3</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.security

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2012-5055, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.security

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Spring Framework in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.0.8), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.security command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, where the product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. In Spring Framework, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

DaoAuthenticationProvider in VMware SpringSource Spring Security before 2.0.8, 3.0.x before 3.0.8, and 3.1.x before 3.1.3 does not check the password if the user is not found, which makes the response delay shorter and might allow remote attackers to enumerate valid usernames via a series of login requests.

CVE-2012-5055 Affected Spring Framework Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.0.83.0.83.1.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework.security:spring-security-core
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-core
Maven
< 2.0.8
2.0.8
org.springframework.security:spring-security-core
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-core
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.0.8
3.0.8
org.springframework.security:spring-security-core
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-core
Maven
≥ 3.1.0
< 3.1.3
3.1.3

References

NVD — CVE-2012-5055 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-5055
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://support.springsource.com/security/CVE-2012-5055

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-5055?
CVE-2012-5055 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Spring Security under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor.
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.8, 3.0.8, 3.1.3 across affected packages: org.springframework.security:spring-security-core.
What version fixes CVE-2012-5055?
Upgrading to 2.0.8, 3.0.8, 3.1.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spring-security-core affected?
Yes, org.springframework.security:spring-security-core is affected in releases prior to 2.0.8, 3.0.8, 3.1.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.8, 3.0.8, 3.1.3 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2012-5055?
CVE-2012-5055 is classified under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor (The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2012-5055?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.security'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-3533-rvpc-6x56",
  "modified" : "2022-07-13T15:36:12Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-17T05:17:30Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2012-5055" ],
  "summary" : "Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Spring Security",
  "details" : "DaoAuthenticationProvider in VMware SpringSource Spring Security before 2.0.8, 3.0.x before 3.0.8, and 3.1.x before 3.1.3 does not check the password if the user is not found, which makes the response delay shorter and might allow remote attackers to enumerate valid usernames via a series of login requests.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.0.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.0.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.1.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.1.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-5055"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://support.springsource.com/security/CVE-2012-5055"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-200" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-13T15:36:12Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2012-12-05T17:55:00Z"
  }
}