CVE-2021-22112 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting VMware's Spring Security framework, specifically versions prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.8.RELEASE, and 5.2.9.RELEASE. This vulnerability allows the SecurityContext to fail to save if changed multiple times within a single request. While a malicious user cannot directly trigger this issue, it can be exploited if the application is designed to grant elevated privileges in specific areas, potentially allowing unauthorized privilege escalation throughout the entire application.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The implications of this vulnerability could be significant for organizations utilizing affected versions of Spring Security, as it opens the door for attackers to extend their privileges beyond intended boundaries.
Given the potential for privilege escalation, organizations using vulnerable versions of Spring Security should take immediate action to patch this vulnerability. The urgency for remediation is underscored by its high CVSS score and the risk it poses to application security.
No public exploits have been confirmed for this vulnerability, and it is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations should remain vigilant and prioritize patching to mitigate any potential risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that Spring Security 5.4.x prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.x prior to 5.3.8.RELEASE, and 5.2.x prior to 5.2.9.RELEASE, along with older unsupported versions, may fail to save the SecurityContext if it is modified more than once in a single request. This vulnerability does not allow for direct exploitation by malicious users, but it can be leveraged if the application allows elevated privilege access in certain sections.
The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a high severity, reflecting the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with each rated as high. The vulnerability is classified under the CWE as having no specific identifier. The publication date of this CVE was February 23, 2021.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-22112 stems from the Spring Security framework's failure to maintain the SecurityContext properly when modifications occur more than once during a single request. This error can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, as users may gain broader access than intended if the application's security checks are bypassed.
The attack vector is classified as network-based, allowing for remote exploitation without the need for physical access to the affected system. The complexity of executing this attack is low, requiring minimal privileges to exploit. Notably, no user interaction is required for an attacker to leverage this vulnerability.
The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, suggesting that an attacker could not only gain unauthorized access to sensitive information but also manipulate or disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. Organizations utilizing the affected versions of Spring Security must understand that the potential for privilege escalation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive resources and critical application functions. This can compromise the entire application’s security posture.
The urgency for organizations to address this issue is high, given the CVSS score of 8.8 and the potential for exploitation. Organizations that delay remediation may face a higher risk of an attack that could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is also considerable. If exploited, an attacker can gain access to all components of the application that rely on the compromised SecurityContext, potentially affecting all users and data within the application.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Spring Security are affected: 5.4.x prior to 5.4.4, 5.3.x prior to 5.3.8.RELEASE, and 5.2.x prior to 5.2.9.RELEASE. All versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the following measures to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2021-22112:
1. **Patch**: Upgrade to the latest version of Spring Security to address the vulnerability. Ensure you apply the vendor-recommended patches.
2. **Workarounds**: If patches are not available, consider implementing strict access controls to limit user privileges and isolate sensitive functions.
3. **Configuration Hardening**: Review and harden configurations to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation, ensuring only necessary permissions are granted.
4. **Monitoring**: Enable logging and monitoring to detect any anomalies in user privilege usage that may indicate exploitation attempts.
For further details on penetration testing services, organizations can explore penetration testing to validate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for the following indicators related to CVE-2021-22112:
1. **Log Indicators**: Review application logs for unusual patterns of privilege escalation or modifications to the SecurityContext.
2. **Behavioral Anomalies**: Watch for unexpected user behavior that may suggest exploitation, such as access to restricted areas of the application.
3. **Network Signatures**: Develop network signatures to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
4. **System Changes**: Track changes to user privileges and alert on any unauthorized modifications.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-22112 underscores the critical importance of robust security practices in application development. This vulnerability illustrates how even minor issues in security context management can lead to severe privilege escalation risks.
Security teams must recognize patterns in vulnerabilities like this to enhance their defenses against potential exploitation. The need for continuous education and training around secure coding practices cannot be overstated.
Organizations should consider reviewing their security frameworks to ensure they are equipped to handle such vulnerabilities effectively.
For more insights, organizations can explore our comprehensive guides on penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management program design to strengthen their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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