CVE-2014-3625 in Spring Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Pivitol Spring Framework 3.0.4 through 3.2.x before 3.2.12, 4.0.x before 4.0.8, and 4.1.x before 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, related to static resource handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The CVE-2014-3625 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Pivotal Spring Framework, affecting multiple major versions from 3.0.4 through 3.2.x before 3.2.12, 4.0.x before 4.0.8, and 4.1.x before 4.1.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the framework's static resource handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected systems. The vulnerability's impact extends across a wide range of Spring Framework versions, making it particularly dangerous as organizations using these versions face potential exposure to unauthorized file access. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the framework's resource resolution logic, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths through crafted requests that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of resource paths during static file handling operations, where the framework fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before resolving file system paths. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to navigate beyond the intended resource directories. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to access sensitive files including configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" as part of the reconnaissance phase in cyber attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3625 is severe and multifaceted, potentially exposing organizations to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and system compromise. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive application configuration files, database connection strings, encryption keys, and other critical system information that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve static resources. Organizations using affected Spring Framework versions face significant risk of exposure, especially those with publicly accessible web applications that handle static resources. The vulnerability can also enable attackers to gain insights into the application architecture and potentially escalate privileges by accessing system files or application-specific data that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3625 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the Pivotal Spring Framework, specifically versions 3.2.12, 4.0.8, and 4.1.2 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly when handling file paths or resource requests. Additional defensive measures include restricting file system access for web applications, implementing proper access controls and permissions, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices in application development, particularly when handling static resources and user input processing. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure comprehensive protection against path traversal attacks.