CVE-2026-22737: Spring Framework Spring Framework Improper Path Limitation Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4773-3jfm-qmx3
Share
CVSS 5.9
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-22737 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.9) spring framework improper path limitation 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 framework improper path limitation with script view templates. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.0.6, 6.2.17.

CVE-2026-22737 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-22737
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4773-3jfm-qmx3
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:3.1/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-2026-22737

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-webmvc fixed: 7.0.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webmvc</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.6</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webmvc fixed: 6.2.17 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webmvc</artifactId>
    <version>6.2.17</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webmvc fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webmvc</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webmvc fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webmvc</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webflux fixed: 7.0.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webflux</artifactId>
    <version>7.0.6</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webflux fixed: 6.2.17 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webflux</artifactId>
    <version>6.2.17</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webflux fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webflux</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
org.springframework:spring-webflux fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-webflux</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure 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-2026-22737, 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 7.0.6), 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

Use of Java scripting engine enabled (e.g. JRuby, Jython) template views in Spring MVC and Spring WebFlux applications can result in disclosure of content from files outside the configured locations for script template views. This issue affects Spring Framework: from 7.0.0 through 7.0.5, from 6.2.0 through 6.2.16, from 6.1.0 through 6.1.25, from 5.3.0 through 5.3.46.

CVE-2026-22737 Affected Spring Framework Versions

8 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
7.0.66.2.17
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.springframework:spring-webmvc
maven/org.springframework/spring-webmvc
Maven
≥ 7.0.0-M1
< 7.0.6
7.0.6
org.springframework:spring-webmvc
maven/org.springframework/spring-webmvc
Maven
≥ 6.2.0
< 6.2.17
6.2.17
org.springframework:spring-webmvc
maven/org.springframework/spring-webmvc
Maven
≥ 6.0.0
≤ 6.1.21
org.springframework:spring-webmvc
maven/org.springframework/spring-webmvc
Maven
≥ 5.3.0
≤ 5.3.39
org.springframework:spring-webflux
maven/org.springframework/spring-webflux
Maven
≥ 7.0.0-M1
< 7.0.6
7.0.6
org.springframework:spring-webflux
maven/org.springframework/spring-webflux
Maven
≥ 6.2.0
< 6.2.17
6.2.17
org.springframework:spring-webflux
maven/org.springframework/spring-webflux
Maven
≥ 6.0.0
≤ 6.1.21
org.springframework:spring-webflux
maven/org.springframework/spring-webflux
Maven
≥ 5.3.0
≤ 5.3.39

References

NVD — CVE-2026-22737 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22737
Spring Framework Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework
Spring Framework Security Information SECURITY
https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-22737

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-22737?
CVE-2026-22737 is a security vulnerability in Spring Framework involving Spring Framework Improper Path Limitation with Script View Templates 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 7.0.6, 6.2.17 across affected packages: org.springframework:spring-webmvc, org.springframework:spring-webflux.
What version fixes CVE-2026-22737?
Upgrading to 7.0.6, 6.2.17 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is spring-webmvc affected?
Yes, org.springframework:spring-webmvc is affected in releases prior to 7.0.6, 6.2.17, Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.6, 6.2.17, Latest secure release or later.
Is spring-webflux affected?
Yes, org.springframework:spring-webflux is affected in releases prior to 7.0.6, 6.2.17, Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to 7.0.6, 6.2.17, Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-22737?
CVE-2026-22737 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-22737?
CVE-2026-22737 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-2026-22737?
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-4773-3jfm-qmx3",
  "modified" : "2026-03-20T20:41:46Z",
  "published" : "2026-03-20T00:31:28Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-22737" ],
  "summary" : "Spring Framework Improper Path Limitation with Script View Templates",
  "details" : "Use of Java scripting engine enabled (e.g. JRuby, Jython) template views in Spring MVC and Spring WebFlux applications can result in disclosure of content from files outside the configured locations for script template views. This issue affects Spring Framework: from 7.0.0 through 7.0.5, from 6.2.0 through 6.2.16, from 6.1.0 through 6.1.25, from 5.3.0 through 5.3.46.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webmvc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.0.0-M1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.0.6"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webmvc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.2.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webmvc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.0.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "6.1.21"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webmvc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.3.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "5.3.39"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webflux"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.0.0-M1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.0.6"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webflux"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.2.17"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webflux"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.0.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "6.1.21"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.springframework:spring-webflux"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.3.0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "5.3.39"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22737"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-22737"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-20T20:41:46Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-20T00:16:15Z"
  }
}