CVE-2018-12537: Vertx core Vertx-core Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-6cw8-7j6c-hccp
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CWE-93
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2018-12537 is a MODERATE vertx-core vulnerability (CWE-93: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection')) affecting Vertx core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves vertx-core. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.5.2.

CVE-2018-12537 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2018-12537
GHSA Identifier GHSA-6cw8-7j6c-hccp
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-93: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection')
Affected Product Vertx core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2018-12537

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Vertx core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

io.vertx:vertx-core fixed: 3.5.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>io.vertx</groupId>
    <artifactId>vertx-core</artifactId>
    <version>3.5.2</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=io.vertx

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2018-12537, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertx

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Vertx core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.5.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertx 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-93: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection'), where the product uses crlf (carriage return line feeds) as a special element, e.g. to separate lines or records, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes crlf sequences from inputs. In Vertx core, 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 Eclipse Vert.x version 3.0 to 3.5.1, the HttpServer response headers and HttpClient request headers do not filter carriage return and line feed characters from the header value. This allow unfiltered values to inject a new header in the client request or server response.

CVE-2018-12537 Affected Vertx core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.5.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
io.vertx:vertx-core
maven/io.vertx/vertx-core
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.5.2
3.5.2

References

NVD — CVE-2018-12537 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12537
Vertx core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/eclipse/vert.x/issues/2470
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/eclipse/vert.x/commit/1bb6445226c39a95e7d07ce3caaf56828e8aab72
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:23... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2371
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:37... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3768
bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi WEB
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=536038
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi WEB
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1591072
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-6cw8-7j6c-hccp
Vertx core Security Information SECURITY
https://www.compass-security.com/fileadmin/Datein/Research/Advisories/CSNC-2018-021_vertx.txt

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-12537?
CVE-2018-12537 is a security vulnerability in Vertx core involving vertx-core under CWE-93: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection').
Which Vertx core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.5.2 across affected packages: io.vertx:vertx-core.
What version fixes CVE-2018-12537?
Upgrading to 3.5.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is vertx-core affected?
Yes, io.vertx:vertx-core is affected in releases prior to 3.5.2. Upgrade your dependency to 3.5.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-12537?
CVE-2018-12537 is classified under CWE-93: Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection') (The product uses CRLF (carriage return line feeds) as a special element, e.g. to separate lines or records, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes CRLF sequences from inputs.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2018-12537?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertx'. 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-6cw8-7j6c-hccp",
  "modified" : "2020-06-16T21:18:56Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-19T17:43:36Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-12537" ],
  "summary" : "Moderate severity vulnerability that affects io.vertx:vertx-core",
  "details" : "In Eclipse Vert.x version 3.0 to 3.5.1, the HttpServer response headers and HttpClient request headers do not filter carriage return and line feed characters from the header value. This allow unfiltered values to inject a new header in the client request or server response.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "io.vertx:vertx-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.5.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12537"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/vert.x/issues/2470"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/eclipse/vert.x/commit/1bb6445226c39a95e7d07ce3caaf56828e8aab72"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2371"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3768"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=536038"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1591072"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-6cw8-7j6c-hccp"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.compass-security.com/fileadmin/Datein/Research/Advisories/CSNC-2018-021_vertx.txt"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-93" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:18:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}