CVE-2026-2818 in Spring Data Geode
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2026
A zip-slip path traversal vulnerability in Spring Data Geode's import snapshot functionality allows attackers to write files outside the intended extraction directory. This vulnerability appears to be susceptible on Windows OS only.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2026
The zip-slip vulnerability in Spring Data Geode represents a critical path traversal flaw that undermines the security boundaries of file extraction operations within geospatial data management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the import snapshot functionality, which is designed to handle compressed data files containing geospatial information for database import purposes. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of archive entry paths during decompression processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and write content to arbitrary locations on the target system. The vulnerability's Windows-specific susceptibility stems from the operating system's handling of path traversal sequences and file system permissions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Windows servers commonly host geospatial databases. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category for Path Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code through file placement attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper path sanitization in the snapshot import mechanism. When Spring Data Geode processes compressed archive files containing geospatial data, the system fails to validate whether archive entry paths contain directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\". Attackers can craft malicious zip files with entries that contain these traversal sequences, causing the import process to write files outside the intended extraction directory. The vulnerability becomes particularly severe in Windows environments where the combination of backslash path separators and the operating system's file handling behavior creates multiple attack vectors for privilege escalation. The flaw essentially allows attackers to overwrite system files, install malicious software, or create backdoor access points through carefully crafted snapshot files that appear legitimate to the system's security controls.
Operational impacts of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate file system compromise to encompass broader security implications for geospatial data infrastructure. Organizations using Spring Data Geode for managing large-scale geospatial databases face significant risk of data corruption, unauthorized access, and potential system compromise when processing untrusted snapshot files. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious file uploads, compromised data sources, or social engineering campaigns targeting administrators. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability may enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive geospatial data, or establish persistent access points within the network. The Windows-specific nature of the vulnerability means that organizations running Windows servers for geospatial data management face higher exposure levels, particularly in environments where automated data import processes are common. The impact is further amplified when considering that geospatial databases often contain sensitive information such as location data, infrastructure maps, and proprietary spatial analytics that could be compromised through this attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Spring Data Geode versions while implementing defensive measures to prevent exploitation. Organizations must ensure that all systems running Spring Data Geode are updated to versions containing the necessary path validation fixes, which typically involve implementing proper sanitization of archive entry paths and rejecting entries containing traversal sequences. Network-level controls should be implemented to restrict access to snapshot import functionality, particularly for untrusted sources, and automated scanning of incoming files should be deployed to detect malicious path sequences. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles for the import processes, monitoring for unusual file creation patterns, and establishing secure file handling procedures that validate all archive contents before processing. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched systems to ensure that legitimate snapshot imports continue to function correctly while preventing the exploitation of the path traversal vulnerability through ATT&CK mitigation techniques focused on privilege escalation prevention.