Cross Site Tracing Vulnerability in libspring-java Package
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2018-11039: Spring Framework (versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.7, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.18, and older unsupported versions) allow web applications to change the HTTP request method to any HTTP method (including TRACE) using the Hid... Affects libspring-java versions 3.0.6.RELEASE-10 – 3.0.6.RELEASE-9. No fix is published. 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 Java applications. It provides comprehensive infrastructure support for developing Java applications, including features for web applications, data access, and transaction management. This package is crucial for developers looking to create robust and scalable applications. However, certain versions of this package are vulnerable to a Cross Site Tracing (XST) attack, which can compromise the security of web applications using this framework.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the HiddenHttpMethodFilter in Spring MVC, which allows web applications to change the HTTP request method to any method, including TRACE. This can be exploited by attackers if the application has a pre-existing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. The attacker can leverage this to execute a Cross Site Tracing attack, potentially exposing sensitive information and compromising user security. The affected versions include Spring Framework versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.7 and 4.3.x prior to 4.3.18, along with older unsupported versions.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can disable the HiddenHttpMethodFilter in your Spring MVC application to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. This can be done by modifying your web application configuration to exclude this filter.
Conclusion
The libspring-java package has a significant vulnerability that can lead to Cross Site Tracing attacks if not addressed. It is crucial for developers to update their packages to the latest versions and consider disabling the HiddenHttpMethodFilter as a temporary measure. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help maintain application security.
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FAQ
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.9, indicating a medium severity level.
The affected versions include libspring-java 3.0.6.RELEASE-13ubuntu0.1~esm2 and 3.2.13-5ubuntu0.1~esm1, among others.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
A Cross Site Tracing attack allows an attacker to exploit XSS vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information by manipulating HTTP request methods.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
References
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