CVE-2018-15756: Spring Framework Denial of Service Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-ffvq-7w96-97p7
Share
CVSS 7.5
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2018-15756 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) denial of service vulnerability (General Security Weakness) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves denial of service in spring framework. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.1.1.RELEASE, 5.0.10.RELEASE, 4.3.20.RELEASE.

CVE-2018-15756 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2018-15756
GHSA Identifier GHSA-ffvq-7w96-97p7
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification General Security Weakness
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

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

How to Fix CVE-2018-15756

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-core fixed: 5.1.1.RELEASE 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>5.1.1.RELEASE</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-core fixed: 5.0.10.RELEASE 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>5.0.10.RELEASE</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-core fixed: 4.3.20.RELEASE 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>4.3.20.RELEASE</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-2018-15756, 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 5.1.1.RELEASE), 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, version 5.1, versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.10, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.20, and older unsupported versions on the 4.2.x branch provide support for range requests when serving static resources through the ResourceHttpRequestHandler, or starting in 5.0 when an annotated controller returns an org.springframework.core.io.Resource. A malicious user (or attacker) can add a range header with a high number of ranges, or with wide ranges that overlap, or both, for a denial of service attack. This vulnerability affects applications that depend on either spring-webmvc or spring-webflux. Such applications must also have a registration for serving static resources (e.g. JS, CSS, images, and others), or have an annotated controller that returns an org.springframework.core.io.Resource. Spring Boot applications that depend on spring-boot-starter-web or spring-boot-starter-webflux are ready to serve static resources out of the box and are therefore vulnerable.

CVE-2018-15756 Affected Spring Framework Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.1.1.RELEASE5.0.10.RELEASE4.3.20.RELEASE
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-core
maven/org.springframework/spring-core
Maven
≥ 5.1.0.RELEASE
< 5.1.1.RELEASE
5.1.1.RELEASE
org.springframework:spring-core
maven/org.springframework/spring-core
Maven
≥ 5.0.0.RELEASE
< 5.0.10.RELEASE
5.0.10.RELEASE
org.springframework:spring-core
maven/org.springframework/spring-core
Maven
≥ 4.2.0.RELEASE
< 4.3.20.RELEASE
4.3.20.RELEASE

References

NVD — CVE-2018-15756 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-15756
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2019-5072832.html
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/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/cpujan2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-15756
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00022.html
lists.apache.org/thread.html/f890550... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/f8905507a2c94af6b08b72d7be0c4b8c6660e585f00abfafeccc86bc@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/efaa52b... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/efaa52b0aa67aae7cbd9e6ef96945387e422d7ce0e65434570a37b1d@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/d6a84f5... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/d6a84f52db89804b0ad965f3ea2b24bb880edee29107a1c5069cc3dd@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/bb35496... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/bb354962cb51fff65740d5fb1bc2aac56af577c06244b57c36f98e4d@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/a3071e1... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a3071e11c6fbd593022074ec1b4693f6d948c2b02cfa4a5d854aed68@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/8a1fe70... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8a1fe70534fc52ff5c9db5ac29c55657f802cbefd7e9d9850c7052bd@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/7b156ee... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7b156ee50ba3ecce87b33c06bf7a749d84ffee55e69bfb5eca88fcc3@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/77886fe... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/77886fec378ee6064debb1efb6b464a4a0173b2ff0d151ed86d3a228@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/339fd11... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/339fd112517e4873695b5115b96acdddbfc8f83b10598528d37c7d12@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105703

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-15756?
CVE-2018-15756 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Denial of Service in Spring Framework under General Security Weakness.
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.1.1.RELEASE, 5.0.10.RELEASE, 4.3.20.RELEASE across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-core.
What version fixes CVE-2018-15756?
Upgrading to 5.1.1.RELEASE, 5.0.10.RELEASE, 4.3.20.RELEASE (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spring-core affected?
Yes, org.springframework:spring-core is affected in releases prior to 5.1.1.RELEASE, 5.0.10.RELEASE, 4.3.20.RELEASE. Upgrade your dependency to 5.1.1.RELEASE, 5.0.10.RELEASE, 4.3.20.RELEASE or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-15756?
CVE-2018-15756 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-15756?
CVE-2018-15756 is classified under General Security Weakness.
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2018-15756?
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-ffvq-7w96-97p7",
  "modified" : "2024-06-05T17:09:52Z",
  "published" : "2020-06-15T19:34:50Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-15756" ],
  "summary" : "Denial of Service in Spring Framework",
  "details" : "Spring Framework, version 5.1, versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.10, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.20, and older unsupported versions on the 4.2.x branch provide support for range requests when serving static resources through the ResourceHttpRequestHandler, or starting in 5.0 when an annotated controller returns an org.springframework.core.io.Resource. A malicious user (or attacker) can add a range header with a high number of ranges, or with wide ranges that overlap, or both, for a denial of service attack. This vulnerability affects applications that depend on either spring-webmvc or spring-webflux. Such applications must also have a registration for serving static resources (e.g. JS, CSS, images, and others), or have an annotated controller that returns an org.springframework.core.io.Resource. Spring Boot applications that depend on spring-boot-starter-web or spring-boot-starter-webflux are ready to serve static resources out of the box and are therefore vulnerable.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.1.0.RELEASE"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.1.1.RELEASE"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.0.0.RELEASE"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.0.10.RELEASE"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.2.0.RELEASE"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.3.20.RELEASE"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-15756"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2019-5072832.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.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/cpujan2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-15756"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00022.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/f8905507a2c94af6b08b72d7be0c4b8c6660e585f00abfafeccc86bc@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/efaa52b0aa67aae7cbd9e6ef96945387e422d7ce0e65434570a37b1d@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/d6a84f52db89804b0ad965f3ea2b24bb880edee29107a1c5069cc3dd@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/bb354962cb51fff65740d5fb1bc2aac56af577c06244b57c36f98e4d@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a3071e11c6fbd593022074ec1b4693f6d948c2b02cfa4a5d854aed68@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8a1fe70534fc52ff5c9db5ac29c55657f802cbefd7e9d9850c7052bd@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7b156ee50ba3ecce87b33c06bf7a749d84ffee55e69bfb5eca88fcc3@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/77886fec378ee6064debb1efb6b464a4a0173b2ff0d151ed86d3a228@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/339fd112517e4873695b5115b96acdddbfc8f83b10598528d37c7d12@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105703"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-11T20:09:37Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2018-10-18T22:29:00Z"
  }
}