Denial-of-Service Vulnerability in libspring-java Package: CVE-2023-20863

libspring-java Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

13/04/2023
N/A
No i
Medium
6.5

UBUNTU-CVE-2023-20863: In spring framework versions prior to 5.2.24 release+ ,5.3.27+ and 6.0.8+ , it is possible for a user to provide a specially crafted SpEL expression that may cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. 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 dependency injection, transaction management, and aspect-oriented programming. This package is critical for developers leveraging the Spring ecosystem to create robust and scalable applications. However, it has been identified to have a vulnerability that could lead to denial-of-service conditions.

Vulnerability Detail

CVE-2023-20863 is a vulnerability found in the Spring Framework versions prior to 5.2.24, 5.3.27, and 6.0.8. It allows an attacker to craft a malicious Spring Expression Language (SpEL) expression that can cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of SpEL expressions, which can lead to resource exhaustion and application crashes. The potential ramifications include service downtime and disruption of application functionality, impacting user experience and business operations.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Workaround

If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing input validation to sanitize SpEL expressions before processing them. This can help mitigate the risk of malicious expressions being executed.

Conclusion

In summary, CVE-2023-20863 poses a significant risk to applications using the libspring-java package, potentially leading to denial-of-service conditions. It is crucial for developers to update their packages to the latest patched versions to mitigate this risk and ensure the stability of their applications.

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FAQ

CVE-2023-20863 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Spring Framework that allows attackers to exploit specially crafted SpEL expressions.

You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.

The vulnerability can lead to denial-of-service conditions, causing application crashes and service downtime.

You can update the package using the command: sudo apt install libspring-java=<patched_version> after running sudo apt update.

Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in software by using a manifest file like package-lock.json.

Related vulnerabilities

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How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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