CVE-2018-11039: Spring Framework Spring Framework Cross Site Tracing Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-9gcm-f4x3-8jpw
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CVSS 5.9
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2018-11039 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.9) spring framework cross site tracing vulnerability (General Security Weakness) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves spring framework cross site tracing (xst). Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.0.7, 4.3.18.

CVE-2018-11039 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2018-11039
GHSA Identifier GHSA-9gcm-f4x3-8jpw
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.9
CWE Classification General Security Weakness
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2018-11039

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:spring-web fixed: 5.0.7 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-web</artifactId>
    <version>5.0.7</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-web fixed: 4.3.18 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-web</artifactId>
    <version>4.3.18</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

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2018-11039, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework

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 5.0.7), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework 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 General Security Weakness. 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

Spring Framework (versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.7, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.18, and older unsupported versions) allow web applications to change the HTTP request method to any HTTP method (including TRACE) using the HiddenHttpMethodFilter in Spring MVC. If an application has a pre-existing XSS vulnerability, a malicious user (or attacker) can use this filter to escalate to an XST (Cross Site Tracing) attack.

CVE-2018-11039 Affected Spring Framework Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.0.74.3.18
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-web
maven/org.springframework/spring-web
Maven
≥ 5.0.0
< 5.0.7
5.0.7
org.springframework:spring-web
maven/org.springframework/spring-web
Maven
≥ 4.3.0
< 4.3.18
4.3.18

References

NVD — CVE-2018-11039 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11039
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/issues/21376
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/323ccf99e575343f63d56e229c25c35c170b7ec1
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/a5cd01a4c857aaaba7ccc51545fc73dd25b5cba5
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/dac97f1b7dac3e70ff603fb6fc9f205b95dd6b01
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f2694a8ed93f1f63f87ce45d0bb638478b426acd
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f64fa3dea10af125d612d3a997aece93d21bc875
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://spring.io/security/cve-2018-11039
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-11039
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00022.html
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-9gcm-f4x3-8jpw
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107984

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-11039?
CVE-2018-11039 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Spring Framework Cross Site Tracing (XST) under General Security Weakness.
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.0.7, 4.3.18 across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-web.
What version fixes CVE-2018-11039?
Upgrading to 5.0.7, 4.3.18 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spring-web affected?
Yes, org.springframework:spring-web is affected in releases prior to 5.0.7, 4.3.18. Upgrade your dependency to 5.0.7, 4.3.18 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-11039?
CVE-2018-11039 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-11039?
CVE-2018-11039 is classified under General Security Weakness.
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2018-11039?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework'. 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-9gcm-f4x3-8jpw",
  "modified" : "2024-03-05T17:33:42Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-16T17:35:54Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-11039" ],
  "summary" : "Spring Framework Cross Site Tracing (XST)",
  "details" : "Spring Framework (versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.7, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.18, and older unsupported versions) allow web applications to change the HTTP request method to any HTTP method (including TRACE) using the HiddenHttpMethodFilter in Spring MVC. If an application has a pre-existing XSS vulnerability, a malicious user (or attacker) can use this filter to escalate to an XST (Cross Site Tracing) attack.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.0.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.3.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.3.18"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11039"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/issues/21376"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/323ccf99e575343f63d56e229c25c35c170b7ec1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/a5cd01a4c857aaaba7ccc51545fc73dd25b5cba5"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/dac97f1b7dac3e70ff603fb6fc9f205b95dd6b01"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f2694a8ed93f1f63f87ce45d0bb638478b426acd"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f64fa3dea10af125d612d3a997aece93d21bc875"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://spring.io/security/cve-2018-11039"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-11039"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00022.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-9gcm-f4x3-8jpw"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107984"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:28:30Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2018-06-25T15:29:00Z"
  }
}