CVE-2026-40985: Spring Framework Spring Web Flow Has Data Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2026-40985 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.4) spring web flow has data vulnerability (CWE-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection')) affecting Spring Framework libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves spring web flow has data binding vulnerability with unified el parser. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.0.1, 3.0.2.
CVE-2026-40985 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 6.4
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:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2026-40985
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.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.springframework.webflow</groupId>
<artifactId>spring-webflow</artifactId>
<version>4.0.1</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.springframework.webflow</groupId>
<artifactId>spring-webflow</artifactId>
<version>3.0.2</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.springframework.webflow</groupId>
<artifactId>spring-webflow</artifactId>
<version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.webflowHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2026-40985, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.webflowAnalyze 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 4.0.1), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.webflow 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-917: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement ('Expression Language Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an expression language (el) statement in a framework such as a java server page (jsp) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended el statement before it is executed. 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
CVE-2026-40985 Affected Spring Framework Versions
3 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow
|
Maven |
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.0.1
All 1 versions
4.0.0
|
4.0.1
|
|
org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow
|
Maven |
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.0.2
|
3.0.2
|
|
org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow
|
Maven |
≤ 2.5.1
|
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-40985?
Which Spring Framework versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-40985?
Is spring-webflow affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-40985?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-40985?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2026-40985?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-9ggw-87m9-9gfc",
"modified" : "2026-08-18T20:10:32Z",
"published" : "2026-06-11T06:30:28Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-40985" ],
"summary" : "Spring Web Flow has Data Binding Vulnerability with Unified EL Parser",
"details" : "Applications that configure the WebFlowELExpressionParser are vulnerable to the use of malicious Unified EL expressions.\n\nAffected versions:\nSpring Web Flow 4.0.0; 3.0.0 through 3.0.1; 2.5.0 through 2.5.1.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.0.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "4.0.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "3.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.0.2"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.springframework.webflow:spring-webflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"last_affected" : "2.5.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40985"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-webflow"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-40985"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-917" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-08-18T20:10:32Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-06-11T05:16:33Z"
}
}