CVE-2020-5421: Spring Framework Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Improper Input Validation in Spring Framework under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//'.

Q: Which Spring Framework versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-framework-bom.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2020-5421?

Upgrading to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is spring-framework-bom affected?

Yes, org.springframework:spring-framework-bom is affected in releases prior to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29. Upgrade your dependency to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 is classified under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//' (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize '.../...//' (doubled triple dot slash) sequences that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2020-5421?

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.

MODERATE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w

CVSS 6.5

CWE-35

Published 2021-04-30

Advisory Summary

CVE-2020-5421 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.5) improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//') affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in spring framework. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29.

CVE-2020-5421 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2020-5421

GHSA Identifier GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.5

CWE Classification CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//'

Affected Product Spring Framework

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2021-04-30

Last Updated 2022-02-08

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.5

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

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required Low (PR:L)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Changed (S:C)

Confidentiality Low (C:L)

Integrity High (I:H)

Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2020-5421

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-framework-bom fixed: 5.2.9

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-framework-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.2.9</version>
</dependency>

org.springframework:spring-framework-bom fixed: 5.1.18

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-framework-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.1.18</version>
</dependency>

org.springframework:spring-framework-bom fixed: 5.0.19

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-framework-bom</artifactId>
    <version>5.0.19</version>
</dependency>

org.springframework:spring-framework-bom fixed: 4.3.29

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-framework-bom</artifactId>
    <version>4.3.29</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-2020-5421, 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 5.2.9), 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 CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//', where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize '.../...//' (doubled triple dot slash) sequences that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory. 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

In Spring Framework versions 5.2.0 - 5.2.8, 5.1.0 - 5.1.17, 5.0.0 - 5.0.18, 4.3.0 - 4.3.28, and older unsupported versions, the protections against RFD attacks from CVE-2015-5211 may be bypassed depending on the browser used through the use of a jsessionid path parameter.

CVE-2020-5421 Affected Spring Framework Versions

4 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

5.2.95.1.185.0.194.3.29

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-framework-bom maven/org.springframework/spring-framework-bom	Maven	≥ 5.2.0 < 5.2.9	5.2.9
org.springframework:spring-framework-bom maven/org.springframework/spring-framework-bom	Maven	≥ 5.1.0 < 5.1.18	5.1.18
org.springframework:spring-framework-bom maven/org.springframework/spring-framework-bom	Maven	≥ 5.0.0 < 5.0.19	5.0.19
org.springframework:spring-framework-bom maven/org.springframework/spring-framework-bom	Maven	< 4.3.29	4.3.29

References

NVD — CVE-2020-5421 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5421

Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html

Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.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/cpuapr2022.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://tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2020-5421

Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210513-0009

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Improper Input Validation in Spring Framework under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//'.

Which Spring Framework versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-framework-bom.

What version fixes CVE-2020-5421?

Upgrading to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is spring-framework-bom affected?

Yes, org.springframework:spring-framework-bom is affected in releases prior to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29. Upgrade your dependency to 5.2.9, 5.1.18, 5.0.19, 4.3.29 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 is classified under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//' (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize '.../...//' (doubled triple dot slash) sequences that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2020-5421?

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

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  "id" : "GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w",
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  "published" : "2021-04-30T17:29:51Z",
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  "summary" : "Improper Input Validation in Spring Framework",
  "details" : "In Spring Framework versions 5.2.0 - 5.2.8, 5.1.0 - 5.1.17, 5.0.0 - 5.0.18, 4.3.0 - 4.3.28, and older unsupported versions, the protections against RFD attacks from CVE-2015-5211 may be bypassed depending on the browser used through the use of a jsessionid path parameter.",
  "severity" : [ {
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  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-35" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-04-27T21:06:49Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2020-09-19T04:15:00Z"
  }
}

CVSS V3

6.5 MODERATE

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required Low (PR:L)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Changed (S:C)

Confidentiality Low (C:L)

Integrity High (I:H)

Availability None (A:N)

Vector String

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2021-04-30 17:29
Last Modified: 2022-02-08 22:03
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2021/04/GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w/GHSA-rv39-3qh7-9v7w.json