CVE-2024-38820: DataBinder Case Sensitive Match Exception Vulnerability in Spring Framework

Overview of the CVE

CVE-2024-38820 is a newly discovered vulnerability in the Spring Framework related to the DataBinder component, which handles binding Java objects to form inputs or HTTP request parameters. This vulnerability can allow attackers to manipulate input data and bypass security controls, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information. Patches are available for Spring Framework 6.1 and via commercial support for earlier versions.

Affected Versions

The following versions of Spring Framework are affected by CVE-2024-38820:

• Spring Framework 5.3.x: 5.3.0 - 5.3.40
• Spring Framework 6.0.x: 6.0.0 - 6.0.24
• Spring Framework 6.1.x: 6.1.0 - 6.1.13

Older, unsupported versions may also be vulnerable.

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability is an extension of the fix for CVE-2022-22968, which made the disallowedFields patterns in Spring’s DataBinder component case-insensitive to improve security. However, the use of Java’s String.toLowerCase() method to enforce case insensitivity introduces locale-dependent exceptions. This could result in certain fields not being protected as expected, depending on the locale in use.

For example, in certain languages, the String.toLowerCase() method may not behave as expected, leading to cases where disallowed fields are incorrectly processed. Attackers could exploit this flaw to bypass security restrictions and perform unauthorized actions, especially in applications that rely heavily on data-binding for user input.

Mitigation for CVE-2024-38820

A fix for the CVE-2024-38820 vulnerability is available in Sping Framework 6.1.13 or in commercial versions of Spring Framework 6.0 or 5.3.. Users are advised to take the following actions to secure their applications:

• Migrate to Spring Framework 6.1.13 to leverage the improved security and performance.
• For those who cannot migrate, adopt NES for Spring from HeroDevs, which provides ongoing security patches (including for this vulnerability) and support for end-of-life Spring Framework versions.

Why Upgrade with HeroDevs?

HeroDevs provides long-term support for Spring Framework, including security patches and updates for vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-38820. With Never-Ending Support (NES) for Spring r, your business can ensure that even legacy Spring applications remain secure and compliant.

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• Security Updates: Proactive patches for vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-38820.
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• Expert Support: Access to a team of experts with deep knowledge of Spring and legacy systems.

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-38820 vulnerability poses a risk to Spring Framework applications by allowing attackers to bypass case-sensitive protections in the DataBinder component due to locale-dependent behavior in String.toLowerCase(). Immediate action is recommended to mitigate the risk while awaiting a patch.

If your organization uses Spring, HeroDevs’ Never-Ending Support ensures that your applications remain secure, compliant, and fully operational, even when using older versions of Spring.

Contact HeroDevs today to learn more about how we can help secure your applications.