Spring Security: Improper Preservation of Permissions
CVE-2023-34034 is a critical-severity improper preservation of permissions vulnerability in Spring Security, 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 Security versions: Spring Security 6.1.0 through 6.1.1; Spring Security 6.0.0 through 6.0.4; Spring Security 5.8.0 through 5.8.4, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 4.07% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 9.15% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Spring Security you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on spring.io 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Security | Spring Security | Spring Security 6.1.0 through 6.1.1; Spring Security 6.0.0 through 6.0.4; Spring Security 5.8.0 through 5.8.4; Spring Security 5.7.0 through 5.7.9; Spring Security 5.6.0 through 5.6.11 | Not 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 system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | CNA (vmware.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Using "**" as a pattern in Spring Security configuration for WebFlux creates a mismatch in pattern matching between Spring Security and Spring WebFlux, and the potential for a security bypass.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Preservation of Permissions
The product does not preserve permissions or incorrectly preserves permissions when copying, restoring, or sharing objects, which can cause them to have less restrictive permissions than intended.
More Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-281)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Spring Security
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Preservation of Permissions vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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