CVE-2016-6652 in Spring Data JPA
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Pivotal Spring Data JPA before 1.9.6 (Gosling SR6) and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 (Hopper SR4), when used with a repository that defines a String query using the @Query annotation, allows attackers to execute arbitrary JPQL commands via a sort instance with a function call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6652 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Pivotal Spring Data JPA framework that affects versions prior to 1.9.6 and 1.10.4. This issue specifically targets applications that utilize the @Query annotation to define custom repository methods, creating a dangerous attack vector where malicious input can be injected into JPQL queries through sort parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and parameter handling within the framework's query processing mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted sort instances that contain function calls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when developers define repository methods using the @Query annotation with dynamic sorting capabilities. When a sort instance containing a function call is passed to such a repository method, the framework fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into the JPQL query structure. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious JPQL commands that can execute arbitrary database operations, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification, or complete database compromise. The flaw is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate framework functionality to achieve unauthorized access, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to database systems. Organizations using affected versions of Spring Data JPA face significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where database credentials have elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the core data access layer of applications, meaning that any application relying on Spring Data JPA for database operations becomes susceptible to this attack vector. This issue particularly impacts enterprise applications where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount, as the exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through database-level attacks.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-6652 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of Spring Data JPA, specifically versions 1.9.6 and 1.10.4 respectively. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterization techniques for all repository methods that accept dynamic sorting parameters, ensuring that any user-supplied input is properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into JPQL queries. Additionally, implementing database-level access controls and monitoring for unusual query patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Spring Data JPA implementations and ensure all dependencies are updated to prevent exploitation of this persistent vulnerability that could undermine the security posture of enterprise applications relying on the framework for data access operations.