CVE-2018-1271: Spring Framework Spring-core Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g8hw-794c-4j9g
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CVSS 5.9
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2018-1271 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.9) spring-core vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves spring-core. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.0.5, 4.3.15.

CVE-2018-1271 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2018-1271
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g8hw-794c-4j9g
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.9
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product Spring Framework
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.9

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2018-1271

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: 5.0.5 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>5.0.5</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-core fixed: 4.3.15 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>4.3.15</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-2018-1271, 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 5.0.5), 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-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted 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

Spring Framework, versions 5.0 prior to 5.0.5 and versions 4.3 prior to 4.3.15 and older unsupported versions, allow applications to configure Spring MVC to serve static resources (e.g. CSS, JS, images). When static resources are served from a file system on Windows (as opposed to the classpath, or the ServletContext), a malicious user can send a request using a specially crafted URL that can lead a directory traversal attack.

CVE-2018-1271 Affected Spring Framework Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.0.54.3.15
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-core
maven/org.springframework/spring-core
Maven
≥ 5.0.0
< 5.0.5
5.0.5
org.springframework:spring-core
maven/org.springframework/spring-core
Maven
< 4.3.15
4.3.15

References

NVD — CVE-2018-1271 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1271
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/0e28bee0f155b9bf240b4bafc4646e4810cb23f8
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/13356a7ee2240f740737c5c83bdccdacc30603ab
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/695bf2961feffd35b5560ccc982a2189dcca611f
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/91b803a2310344d925e5d4b1709bbcea90375548
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/98ad23bef8e2e04143f8f5b201380543a8d8c0c3
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/b9ebdaaf3710db473a2e1fec8641c316483a22aa
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f046a066eceefa0799d1bc89bd6e1318f39bdf69
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f59ea610dfcf55cd0b42f6dd76a9b3dab0218aaa
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/cpujan2019-5072801.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://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-1271
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-g8hw-794c-4j9g
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:29... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2939
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:26... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2669
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:13... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1320
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103699

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-1271?
CVE-2018-1271 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving spring-core under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.0.5, 4.3.15 across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-core.
What version fixes CVE-2018-1271?
Upgrading to 5.0.5, 4.3.15 (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 5.0.5, 4.3.15. Upgrade your dependency to 5.0.5, 4.3.15 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-1271?
CVE-2018-1271 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2018-1271?
CVE-2018-1271 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2018-1271?
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-g8hw-794c-4j9g",
  "modified" : "2024-03-07T21:32:20Z",
  "published" : "2018-10-17T20:07:03Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2018-1271" ],
  "summary" : "Path Traversal in org.springframework:spring-core",
  "details" : "Spring Framework, versions 5.0 prior to 5.0.5 and versions 4.3 prior to 4.3.15 and older unsupported versions, allow applications to configure Spring MVC to serve static resources (e.g. CSS, JS, images). When static resources are served from a file system on Windows (as opposed to the classpath, or the ServletContext), a malicious user can send a request using a specially crafted URL that can lead a directory traversal attack.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.0.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
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      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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      }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1271"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/0e28bee0f155b9bf240b4bafc4646e4810cb23f8"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/13356a7ee2240f740737c5c83bdccdacc30603ab"
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/91b803a2310344d925e5d4b1709bbcea90375548"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/b9ebdaaf3710db473a2e1fec8641c316483a22aa"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f046a066eceefa0799d1bc89bd6e1318f39bdf69"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/commit/f59ea610dfcf55cd0b42f6dd76a9b3dab0218aaa"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2019-5072835.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2019-5072801.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://pivotal.io/security/cve-2018-1271"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-g8hw-794c-4j9g"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2939"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2669"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1320"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2018-4428296.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103699"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:36:29Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2018-04-06T13:29:00Z"
  }
}