Directory Traversal Vulnerability in Pivotal Spring Framework (CVE-2016-9878)

libspring-java Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

29/12/2016
N/A
Yes i
High
7.5

CVE-2016-9878: An issue was discovered in Pivotal Spring Framework before 3.2.18, 4.2.x before 4.2.9, and 4.3.x before 4.3.5. Affects libspring-java across 33 version ranges.

< 0edb85c78b5844a42525705bec2901b773f844c2 < 1e727d65772327b5d89d89e4825e44484b6dd681 < 2f9c99e5cfc97e1b8958520b5155aed06d441202 < 4.3.5-1 < 5b99ee299031d331da9d4cc393ff1c24e0c8d63b < 8b293e1be40b949b8de5d6ff7411c11416fe3d5a < 8d6636aab1c2ae892bff33fe66341eda4017cbb6 < 015e1bec649d84d146b04e0062723c88e350e1b2 < 22a14c02c2fad2f7338bb66a759f325f17089612 < 022f1c335755a00d947540fc307741b419bfe9ac < 28d43f886c5e387dbb496e850782274ec9176160 < 30aecf3cc56c568e89e46cac0d87f280c07a847c < 62b8f97f0f50b1e3a930c23aa313ca10aa48498f < 75bf620ae7df0967965a02e54e01f47ea5fa6f8c < 77c0292665bc5e61d0e5108f9cd7e066381f28d3 < 137dc19fcdeee5a5edc230b39d2cc47f01624df7 < 201b2d752efc4c79b0d52d90e95dac1093520d5f < 234cb84e832da30b6f53ccca4ef28043aacfcecc < 330ba990490286f0d871120e44f0b9297adf0825 < 7482cf902106db2bff9e912cb67bdeea3adf5855 < 90718ef0d958759527fa7066a7149d8151664dda < 58587159f08a5349801671b486cd781baa63cb9f < 345570109ae2dbdafe05a4270f0c710b7d53d050 < a1efe4f35d067b93d6ff4b3850ae9b9d6d6f6e26 < a88b80195aedb70d3c351abeba8e6a0a93af339e < abdcefb460fcbc1348ef04505a78381a2c69a643 < b49d801f241fb8088a5b7514db93fda32c58731c < d111af1b88b53f2589d017a7cb6d068464d9bf77 < d802e2826a85a50b302f3da6770e6583822e2db8 < dd42a21f3968c165af924310fce460694803756f < e3e2272a755a53863276850eb80dd5032f3cf571 < f440f927198c8b4959c727aec80e9b7423a4f548 < fc73f6bb2c2a65fadb4a7720af95bf9850733e60

Fixed in 4.3.5-1. How to fix ↓

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Background

The Pivotal Spring Framework is a powerful framework for building Java applications, providing comprehensive infrastructure support for developing Java applications. It offers features such as dependency injection, aspect-oriented programming, and transaction management. However, certain versions of the framework are vulnerable to directory traversal attacks, which can expose sensitive files and directories to unauthorized users.

Vulnerability Detail

CVE-2016-9878 is a directory traversal vulnerability found in Pivotal Spring Framework versions prior to 3.2.18, 4.2.x before 4.2.9, and 4.3.x before 4.3.5. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of paths provided to the ResourceServlet, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and access files outside the intended directory. This could lead to exposure of sensitive information, potentially compromising the security of the application and its data.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

4.3.5-1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libspring-java

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Workaround

If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization for file paths in your application to mitigate the risk of directory traversal attacks. Additionally, restrict access to sensitive directories and files through proper server configuration.

Conclusion

CVE-2016-9878 is a significant vulnerability in the Pivotal Spring Framework that can lead to directory traversal attacks. It is crucial for users of affected versions to update to the latest secure versions to protect their applications from potential exploitation. Implementing proper input validation and server configurations can also help mitigate risks.

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FAQ

CVE-2016-9878 is a vulnerability in the Pivotal Spring Framework that allows for directory traversal attacks due to improper path sanitization.

Versions before 3.2.18, 4.2.x before 4.2.9, and 4.3.x before 4.3.5 are affected by this vulnerability.

The main risk is unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories, which could lead to data breaches and compromise application security.

You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.

The CVSS score for CVE-2016-9878 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libspring-java.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

4.3.5-1

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libspring-java

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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