In Spring Framework versions 6.0.15 and 6.1.2, it is possible for a user to provide specially crafted HTTP requests that may cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability allows attackers to disrupt the availability of the affected applications, leading to potential service outages.
The severity level of this vulnerability is categorized as high, with a CVSS score of 7.5. This score indicates a significant risk to organizations using the affected versions of the Spring Framework. Organizations must be aware of the potential impact this vulnerability can have on their applications and services.
Risk to organizations includes the possibility of service disruptions that could affect business operations and customer trust. Given the exploitability of this vulnerability, immediate action is required to mitigate the associated risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. They should ensure that their applications utilizing Spring MVC and Spring Security versions 6.1.6+ or 6.2.1+ are updated to avoid falling victim to this vulnerability.
This vulnerability is particularly critical for applications that rely on the org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-web and org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-security dependencies, as they meet the conditions for exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that in Spring Framework versions 6.0.15 and 6.1.2, it is possible for a user to provide specially crafted HTTP requests that may cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Specifically, an application is vulnerable when all of the following are true: the application uses Spring MVC and Spring Security 6.1.6+ or 6.2.1+ is on the classpath.
The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates high severity due to the potential availability impact on affected systems, as indicated by the availability impact of high in the CVSS vector.
The vulnerability affects the Spring Framework component, making it crucial for organizations utilizing this technology to remain vigilant. The publication date of this vulnerability is January 22, 2024.
The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification for this vulnerability is CWE-400, which pertains to 'Uncontrolled Resource Consumption.'
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is due to improper handling of specially crafted HTTP requests by applications utilizing Spring MVC in conjunction with vulnerable versions of Spring Security. This flaw can lead to resource exhaustion, potentially resulting in a denial-of-service condition.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit this vulnerability without requiring direct access to the affected system. The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require any special conditions or privileges to exploit.
No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary. The potential impact on confidentiality and integrity is none; however, the availability impact is high, which is a critical concern for organizations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk for this vulnerability is substantial, as it can lead to significant downtime for applications relying on the affected Spring Framework versions. Organizations must understand that the availability of their services could be compromised, which may lead to loss of revenue and damage to reputation.
This vulnerability matters to organizations that leverage Spring Framework for their applications, as it directly affects their operational capabilities. The blast radius potential is high, considering that many organizations utilize this framework in their web applications.
Given the CVSS score of 7.5 and the absence of any confirmed public exploit, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency is high due to the risk it poses to the availability of services.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected products include Spring Framework versions 6.0.15 and 6.1.2. Organizations should note that all versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are advised to patch their systems immediately to the latest versions of Spring Framework that address this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, organizations should consider implementing workarounds such as disabling affected features or enhancing network controls to mitigate potential risks.
It is also recommended to conduct a thorough review of application security configurations. Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to ensure that no similar weaknesses are present.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual traffic patterns that may indicate an ongoing attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Log indicators should include request methods and sizes that exceed typical operational thresholds.
Behavioral anomalies in application performance should also be tracked, especially during peak usage times.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the increasing reliance on frameworks like Spring for web applications. It represents a pattern of vulnerabilities that can arise from improper handling of user inputs.
Security teams should take this incident as a lesson to implement robust input validation and error handling in their applications.
A strategic defensive takeaway would be to prioritize the review and updating of all third-party dependencies regularly, ensuring that any known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
For further insights into maintaining secure applications, organizations can refer to best practices in penetration testing methodology and application security assessments.
Known Exploitation Timeline
This vulnerability is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
EPSS Risk Context
The EPSS score for this vulnerability is 0.015, placing it in the 81st percentile. This indicates a low probability of exploitation in the wild, but organizations should not underestimate the potential risks associated with this vulnerability.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)