CVE-2013-6430: Spring Framework Improper Neutralization Of Input During Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-xjrf-8x4f-43h4
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CVSS 5.4
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2013-6430 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.4) improper neutralization of input during vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation in spring framework. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.2.2.RELEASE.

CVE-2013-6430 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2013-6430
GHSA Identifier GHSA-xjrf-8x4f-43h4
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.4
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.4

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:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).

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

How to Fix CVE-2013-6430

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: 3.2.2.RELEASE 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-web</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.2.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-2013-6430, 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 3.2.2.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 CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. 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

The JavaScriptUtils.javaScriptEscape method in web/util/JavaScriptUtils.java in Spring MVC in Spring Framework before 3.2.2 does not properly escape certain characters, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via a (1) line separator or (2) paragraph separator Unicode character or (3) left or (4) right angle bracket.

CVE-2013-6430 Affected Spring Framework Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.2.2.RELEASE
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-web
maven/org.springframework/spring-web
Maven
< 3.2.2.RELEASE
3.2.2.RELEASE

References

NVD — CVE-2013-6430 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-6430
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/issues/14617
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/7a7df6637478607bef0277bf52a4e0a03e20a248
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/9982b4c01a8c7be0961e58b58ed83731c40449ff
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f5c9fe69a444607af667911bd4c5074b5b073e7b
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework
jira.spring.io/browse/spr-9983 WEB
https://jira.spring.io/browse/SPR-9983?redirect=false
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://spring.io/security/cve-2013-6430

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2013-6430?
CVE-2013-6430 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation in Spring Framework under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.2.2.RELEASE across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-web.
What version fixes CVE-2013-6430?
Upgrading to 3.2.2.RELEASE (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 3.2.2.RELEASE. Upgrade your dependency to 3.2.2.RELEASE or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2013-6430?
CVE-2013-6430 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2013-6430?
CVE-2013-6430 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2013-6430?
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-xjrf-8x4f-43h4",
  "modified" : "2025-07-03T19:45:07Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-05T00:29:18Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2013-6430" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation in Spring Framework",
  "details" : "The JavaScriptUtils.javaScriptEscape method in web/util/JavaScriptUtils.java in Spring MVC in Spring Framework before 3.2.2 does not properly escape certain characters, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via a (1) line separator or (2) paragraph separator Unicode character or (3) left or (4) right angle bracket.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-web"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.2.2.RELEASE"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 3.2.1.RELEASE"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-6430"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/issues/14617"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/7a7df6637478607bef0277bf52a4e0a03e20a248"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/9982b4c01a8c7be0961e58b58ed83731c40449ff"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f5c9fe69a444607af667911bd4c5074b5b073e7b"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://jira.spring.io/browse/SPR-9983?redirect=false"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://spring.io/security/cve-2013-6430"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-07T23:22:14Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2020-01-10T14:15:00Z"
  }
}