CVE-2014-1904 in Spring Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in web/servlet/tags/form/FormTag.java in Spring MVC in Spring Framework 3.0.0 before 3.2.8 and 4.0.0 before 4.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the requested URI in a default action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The CVE-2014-1904 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Spring Framework's web servlet component, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.2.8 for the 3.0.x series and 4.0.2 for the 4.0.x series. This vulnerability resides in the FormTag.java file within the web/servlet/tags/form package, which is responsible for rendering HTML form elements in Spring MVC applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content through the requested URI parameter in default action scenarios, creating a significant security risk for applications utilizing the affected Spring Framework versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Spring MVC form tag processing mechanism. When the framework processes form elements and encounters user-provided URI parameters, it fails to properly sanitize or encode these inputs before rendering them in the HTML output. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the default action handling where URI parameters are processed without adequate security measures, making it particularly dangerous in applications that rely heavily on dynamic form generation and URI parameter processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user data, or redirect users to malicious sites. Given that Spring Framework is widely used across enterprise applications, the potential attack surface is extensive, affecting organizations that have not updated to patched versions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates how improper input handling in web frameworks can create persistent security weaknesses. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through simple HTTP requests containing malicious payloads in URI parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no complex exploitation techniques.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their Spring Framework installations to versions 3.2.8 or 4.0.2, which contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide defense-in-depth measures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1566 technique for "Phishing with Spoofed Delivery", as attackers can use XSS to create convincing phishing pages or redirect users to malicious sites. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and input sanitization libraries as additional protective measures. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive security testing in web application frameworks, particularly those handling user input through URI parameters and form elements.