CVE-2021-22112: Spring Framework Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-gq28-h5vg-8prx
Share
CVSS 8.8
CWE-269
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-22112 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) privilege escalation vulnerability (CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves privilege escalation in spring security. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9.

CVE-2021-22112 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-22112
GHSA Identifier GHSA-gq28-h5vg-8prx
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.8
CWE Classification CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.8

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2021-22112

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-bom fixed: 5.4.4 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.4.4</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom fixed: 5.3.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.3.8</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom fixed: 5.2.9 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.2.9</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web fixed: 5.4.4 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-web</artifactId>
    <version>5.4.4</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web fixed: 5.3.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-web</artifactId>
    <version>5.3.8</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web fixed: 5.2.9 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.security</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-security-web</artifactId>
    <version>5.2.9</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-2021-22112, 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 5.4.4), 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-269: Improper Privilege Management, where the product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. 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 Security 5.4.x prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.x prior to 5.3.8.RELEASE, 5.2.x prior to 5.2.9.RELEASE, and older unsupported versions can fail to save the SecurityContext if it is changed more than once in a single request.A malicious user cannot cause the bug to happen (it must be programmed in). However, if the application's intent is to only allow the user to run with elevated privileges in a small portion of the application, the bug can be leveraged to extend those privileges to the rest of the application.

CVE-2021-22112 Affected Spring Framework Versions

6 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.4.45.3.85.2.9
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-bom
Maven
≥ 5.4.0
< 5.4.4
5.4.4
org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-bom
Maven
≥ 5.3.0
< 5.3.8
5.3.8
org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-bom
Maven
< 5.2.9
5.2.9
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-web
Maven
≥ 5.4.0
< 5.4.4
5.4.4
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-web
Maven
≥ 5.3.0
< 5.3.8
5.3.8
org.springframework.security:spring-security-web
maven/org.springframework.security/spring-security-web
Maven
< 5.2.9
5.2.9

References

NVD — CVE-2021-22112 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22112
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-02-19
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2021-22112
lists.apache.org/thread.html/redbd00... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/redbd004a503b3520ae5746c2ab5e93fd7da807a8c128e60d2002cd9b@%3Cissues.nifi.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra6389b... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra6389b1b82108a3b6bbcd22979f7665fd437c2a3408c9509a15a9ca1@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra53677... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra53677224fe4f04c2599abc88032076faa18dc84b329cdeba85d4cfc@%3Cpluto-scm.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r89aa1b... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r89aa1b48a827f5641310305214547f1d6b2101971a49b624737c497f@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r413e38... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r413e380088c427f56102968df89ef2f336473e1b56b7d4b3a571a378@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r390783... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r390783b3b1c59b978131ac08390bf77fbb3863270cbde59d5b0f5fde@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r386820... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3868207b967f926819fe3aa8d33f1666429be589bb4a62104a49f4e3@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r37423e... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r37423ec7eea340e92a409452c35b649dce02fdc467f0b3f52086c177@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r2cb05e... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r2cb05e499807900ba23e539643eead9c5f0652fd271f223f89da1804@%3Cpluto-scm.portals.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r163b3e... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r163b3e4e39803882f5be05ee8606b2b9812920e196daa2a82997ce14@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E
Spring Framework Release RELEASE
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-security/releases/tag/5.4.4
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-security
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/02/19/7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-22112?
CVE-2021-22112 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Privilege escalation in spring security under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9 across affected packages: org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom, org.springframework.security:spring-security-web.
What version fixes CVE-2021-22112?
Upgrading to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spring-security-bom affected?
Yes, org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom is affected in releases prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9. Upgrade your dependency to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9 or later.
Is spring-security-web affected?
Yes, org.springframework.security:spring-security-web is affected in releases prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9. Upgrade your dependency to 5.4.4, 5.3.8, 5.2.9 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22112?
CVE-2021-22112 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-22112?
CVE-2021-22112 is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management (The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-22112?
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-gq28-h5vg-8prx",
  "modified" : "2021-08-31T21:18:55Z",
  "published" : "2021-05-10T15:22:39Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-22112" ],
  "summary" : "Privilege escalation in spring security",
  "details" : "Spring Security 5.4.x prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.x prior to 5.3.8.RELEASE, 5.2.x prior to 5.2.9.RELEASE, and older unsupported versions can fail to save the SecurityContext if it is changed more than once in a single request.A malicious user cannot cause the bug to happen (it must be programmed in). However, if the application's intent is to only allow the user to run with elevated privileges in a small portion of the application, the bug can be leveraged to extend those privileges to the rest of the application.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.4.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.3.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.3.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-bom"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.2.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.4.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.3.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.3.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework.security:spring-security-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.2.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22112"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-02-19"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2021-22112"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/redbd004a503b3520ae5746c2ab5e93fd7da807a8c128e60d2002cd9b@%3Cissues.nifi.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra6389b1b82108a3b6bbcd22979f7665fd437c2a3408c9509a15a9ca1@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra53677224fe4f04c2599abc88032076faa18dc84b329cdeba85d4cfc@%3Cpluto-scm.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r89aa1b48a827f5641310305214547f1d6b2101971a49b624737c497f@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r413e380088c427f56102968df89ef2f336473e1b56b7d4b3a571a378@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r390783b3b1c59b978131ac08390bf77fbb3863270cbde59d5b0f5fde@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3868207b967f926819fe3aa8d33f1666429be589bb4a62104a49f4e3@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r37423ec7eea340e92a409452c35b649dce02fdc467f0b3f52086c177@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r2cb05e499807900ba23e539643eead9c5f0652fd271f223f89da1804@%3Cpluto-scm.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r163b3e4e39803882f5be05ee8606b2b9812920e196daa2a82997ce14@%3Cpluto-dev.portals.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-security/releases/tag/5.4.4"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-security"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/02/19/7"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-269" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-03-31T23:12:05Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-02-23T19:15:00Z"
  }
}