CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-22980NVD status: Modified

Spring Data MongoDB: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-22980 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression language statement vulnerability in Spring Data MongoDB, 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. Affected Spring Data MongoDB versions: 3.4.0, 3.3.0 to 3.3.4 and Older. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 17.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.78% of all scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Spring Data MongoDB you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on tanzu.vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Spring Data MongoDBSpring Data MongoDB3.4.0, 3.3.0 to 3.3.4 and OlderNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 2.06.8MediumNVD

Official description

A Spring Data MongoDB application is vulnerable to SpEL Injection when using @Query or @Aggregation-annotated query methods with SpEL expressions that contain query parameter placeholders for value binding if the input is not sanitized.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement

The product constructs all or part of an expression language (EL) statement in a framework such as a Java Server Page (JSP) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended EL statement before it is executed.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Avoid adding user-controlled data into an expression interpreter when possible.
  • If user-controlled data must be added to an expression interpreter, one or more of the following should be performed: Validate that the user input will not evaluate as an expression Encode the user input in a way that ensures it is not evaluated as an expression
  • The framework or tooling might allow the developer to disable or deactivate the processing of EL expressions, such as setting the isELIgnored attribute for a JSP page to true.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement vulnerabilities (CWE-917)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement vulnerabilities

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