CVE-2018-11039 in Construction
Summary
by MITRE
Spring Framework (versions 5.0.x prior to 5.0.7, versions 4.3.x prior to 4.3.18, and older unsupported versions) allow web applications to change the HTTP request method to any HTTP method (including TRACE) using the HiddenHttpMethodFilter in Spring MVC. If an application has a pre-existing XSS vulnerability, a malicious user (or attacker) can use this filter to escalate to an XST (Cross Site Tracing) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11039 represents a significant security flaw within the Spring Framework's HTTP request handling mechanism that affects multiple version lines including 4.3.x through 4.3.17 and 5.0.x through 5.0.6. This issue stems from the improper validation of HTTP request methods within the HiddenHttpMethodFilter component, which is designed to enable web applications to accept HTTP methods other than GET and POST through hidden form fields. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the HTTP request method to any valid HTTP verb including TRACE, which is particularly concerning given the security implications of the TRACE method in web applications. When combined with existing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within the same application, this weakness creates a dangerous escalation path that can transform a standard XSS attack into a more severe Cross Site Tracing attack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the HiddenHttpMethodFilter's handling of the X-HTTP-Method-Override header or hidden form fields that contain HTTP method values. The filter processes these inputs without sufficient validation, allowing malicious actors to inject TRACE or other HTTP methods into the request processing flow. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization as defined in CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-74, which covers improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-116, which deals with improper encoding or escaping of output. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal request method restrictions that would typically prevent TRACE requests from being processed through standard web application interfaces, creating a pathway for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11039 extends beyond simple request manipulation as it enables attackers to exploit existing XSS vulnerabilities in ways that were previously not possible. When an application already contains XSS flaws, the ability to change HTTP methods to TRACE allows malicious users to perform Cross Site Tracing attacks, which can potentially expose sensitive information through the TRACE method's ability to echo back request data including headers and cookies. This escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where applications may already have security gaps, as it transforms a relatively minor weakness into a more serious threat vector. The attack surface expands significantly because TRACE requests can be used to gather information about the application's internal state, potentially revealing authentication tokens, session information, or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by standard security measures. According to ATT&CK framework reference T1203, this vulnerability enables an attacker to perform reconnaissance and information gathering activities that would be difficult to achieve through standard XSS techniques alone.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11039 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the Spring Framework where the HiddenHttpMethodFilter properly validates HTTP method inputs and restricts method changes to only safe HTTP verbs. Organizations should implement comprehensive security patch management processes to ensure all affected Spring Framework versions are updated promptly. Additionally, application developers should review their use of the HiddenHttpMethodFilter and consider disabling it entirely if it is not required for business functionality, as recommended by the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding measures should be enhanced to prevent malicious method overrides, with specific attention to the principle of least privilege in HTTP method handling. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications using affected Spring Framework versions and implement network-level controls to monitor for suspicious HTTP TRACE requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls that emphasize the importance of input validation and secure coding practices to prevent injection attacks and privilege escalation scenarios.