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Spring Security CVE-2016-9879

HIGH
Communication Channel Errors (CWE-417)
2017-01-06 security_alert@emc.com
7.5
CVSS 3.0 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
Impact

CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.32%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

An issue was discovered in Pivotal Spring Security before 3.2.10, 4.1.x before 4.1.4, and 4.2.x before 4.2.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affected Packages

maven org.springframework.security:spring-security-core fix: 3.2.10.RELEASE, 4.1.4.RELEASE, 4.2.1.RELEASE

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in maven

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-417. An issue was discovered in Pivotal Spring Security before 3.2.10, 4.1.x before 4.1.4, and 4.2.x before 4.2.1. Spring Security does not consider URL path parameters when processing security constraints. By adding a URL path parameter with an encoded "/" to a request, an attacker may be able to bypass a security constraint. The root cause of this issue is a lack of clarity regarding the handling of path parameters in the Servlet Specification. Some Servlet containers include path parameters in the value returned for getPathInfo() and some do not. Spring Security uses the value returned by getPathInfo() as part of the process of mapping requests to security constraints. The unexpected presence of path parameters can cause a constraint to be bypassed. Users of Apache Tomcat (all current versions) are not affected by this vulnerability since Tomcat follows the guidance previously provided by the Servlet Expert group and strips path parameters from the value returned by getContextPath(), getServletPath(), and getPathInfo(). Users of other Servlet containers based on Apache Tomcat may or may not be affected depending on whether or not the handling of path parameters has been modified. Users of IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5.x are known to be affected. Users of other containers that implement the Servlet specification may be affected. Affected products include: Vmware Spring Security, Ibm Websphere Application Server. Version information: before 3.2.10.

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

An issue was discovered in Pivotal Spring Security before 3.2.10, 4.1.x before 4.1.4, and 4.2.x before 4.2.1. Spring Security does not consider URL path parameters when processing security constraints. By adding a URL path parameter with an encoded "/" to a request, an attacker may be able to bypass a security constraint. The root cause of this issue is a lack of clarity regarding the handling of path parameters in the Servlet Specification. Some Servlet containers include path parameters in the value returned for getPathInfo() and some do not. Spring Security uses the value returned by getPathInfo() as part of the process of mapping requests to security constraints. The unexpected presence of path parameters can cause a constraint to be bypassed. Users of Apache Tomcat (all current versions) are not affected by this vulnerability since Tomcat follows the guidance previously provided by the Servlet Expert group and strips path parameters from the value returned by getContextPath(), getServletPath(), and getPathInfo(). Users of other Servlet containers based on Apache Tomcat may or may not be affected depending on whether or not the handling of path parameters has been modified. Users of IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5.x are known to be affected. Users of other containers that implement the Servlet specification may be affected.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 45% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.3%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

38
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +38
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:3.2.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:4.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:spring_security:4.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:8.5.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:8.5.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:8.5.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:8.5.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:8.5.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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