Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability in libspring-java Package
Summary
CVE-2014-1904: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in web/servlet/tags/form/FormTag.java in Spring MVC in Spring Framework 3.0.0 before 3.2.8 and 4.0.0 before 4.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML vi... Affects libspring-java versions < 3.0.6.RELEASE-13. Fixed in 3.0.6.RELEASE-13. How to fix ↓
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Background
The libspring-java package is a core component of the Spring Framework, which is widely used for building enterprise-level Java applications. It provides comprehensive infrastructure support for developing Java applications, including web applications. The package includes various modules that facilitate the development of web applications, such as Spring MVC, which is responsible for handling web requests and responses. However, certain versions of this package are vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack, which can allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2014-1904, exists in the FormTag.java file of the Spring MVC component of the Spring Framework. It affects versions 3.0.0 through 3.2.8 and 4.0.0 through 4.0.2. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML via the requested URI in a default action. This can lead to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of users, potentially compromising sensitive information and user sessions. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user input, which fails to adequately sanitize the URI, making it susceptible to XSS attacks.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.0.6.RELEASE-13
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libspring-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading the package is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround is to implement input validation and sanitization on the server-side to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. Ensure that any user input is properly encoded before being rendered in the web application. This can be done using libraries that provide XSS protection, such as OWASP Java Encoder.
Conclusion
The CVE-2014-1904 vulnerability in the libspring-java package poses a significant risk to applications using affected versions of the Spring Framework. It is crucial to upgrade to a secure version to protect against potential XSS attacks. Implementing input validation can serve as a temporary measure while preparing for the upgrade.
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FAQ
CVE-2014-1904 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Spring MVC component of the Spring Framework, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts via the requested URI.
The affected versions include Spring Framework 3.0.0 through 3.2.8 and 4.0.0 through 4.0.2.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, potentially leading to data theft or session hijacking.
Yes, you can implement server-side input validation and sanitization to mitigate the risk temporarily until an upgrade can be performed.
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