Spring Framework JDK 9+ Remote Code Execution
CVE-2022-22965 is a critical-severity improper control of generation of code vulnerability in Spring Framework, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on April 4, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Cx Cloud Agent to 2.1.0 or a later version.
- Update MySQL Enterprise Monitor to 8.0.29 or a later version.
- Update Operation Scheduler to 2.0.4 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on psirt.global.sonicwall.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 13 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
A Spring MVC or Spring WebFlux application running on JDK 9+ may be vulnerable to remote code execution (RCE) via data binding. The specific exploit requires the application to run on Tomcat as a WAR deployment. If the application is deployed as a Spring Boot executable jar, i.e. the default, it is not vulnerable to the exploit. However, the nature of the vulnerability is more general, and there may be other ways to exploit it.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Control of Generation of Code
The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Refactor your program so that you do not have to dynamically generate code.
- Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which code can be executed by your product. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
- Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.
More Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities (CWE-94)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2022-0005Third Party Advisory
- tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2022-22965Mitigation
Patches and release notes
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-254054.pdfThird Party Advisory
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.htmlThird Party Advisory
Third-party and government advisories
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/167011/Spring4Shell-Spring-Framework-Class-Property-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-java-spring-rce-Zx9GUc67Third Party Advisory
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.htmlThird Party Advisory
- kb.cert.org/vuls/id/970766US Government Resource
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22965US Government Resource
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/166713/Spring4Shell-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other vulnerabilities in Spring Framework
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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