High and Medium CVEs in Spring 4.3.x: Why Your Business is at Risk and How to Protect It

As security threats evolve, running outdated software leaves your business vulnerable to attacks. Spring Framework 4, once widely used in many enterprise applications, has been at the end of its life since 2020, meaning it no longer receives security updates. This creates significant risks, as vulnerabilities remain unpatched, making your systems a prime target for exploitation.

Organizations using Spring 4.3.x should act now, as several high and medium Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) have been identified. Ignoring these vulnerabilities could expose your systems to attackers, resulting in data breaches, service outages, or worse. Let’s take a closer look at some of these vulnerabilities and how outdated software has led to devastating breaches in the past.

The Vulnerabilities Lurking in Spring 4.3.x

Several known vulnerabilities in Spring 4.3.x are cause for concern:

• Spring Beans (4.3.30.RELEASE):
  This version contains high and medium-severity CVEs. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code (RCE) or cause denial of service (DoS), disrupting critical operations.
• Spring Web (4.3.30.RELEASE):
  Two high and two medium-severity CVEs have been identified. These flaws include the ability for attackers to cause DoS attacks and are also vulnerable to open redirect attacks,  posing a significant risk for applications exposed to the internet.
• Spring Core (4.3.30.RELEASE):
  Multiple medium-severity vulnerabilities could allow attackers to perform log injection attacks. 

The consequences of ignoring these risks are not just hypothetical; outdated software is one of the most common entry points for attackers.

Real-World Examples of Breaches Due to Deprecated Software

The risks of using outdated software are well-documented. One of the most notorious examples is the Equifax breach in 2017. The company was using an outdated version of Apache Struts, a popular open-source framework, which contained a known vulnerability. Attackers exploited this weakness to access the personal data of 147 million people, resulting in over $700 million in settlements and regulatory fines.

This breach illustrates the dangers of running deprecated software without timely security patches. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting finances, reputation, and regulatory compliance.

Spring 4.3.x presents a similar risk. Its end-of-life status leaves unpatched vulnerabilities exposed, and cybercriminals actively target such systems. Organizations that fail to address these risks could face serious financial and operational fallout.

The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Spring 4.3.x Vulnerabilities

Continuing to rely on Spring 4.3.x might seem like a cost-saving measure, but the risks far outweigh the short-term benefits. Some of the most significant potential costs include:

• Financial Losses: The average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million, according to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report. A breach caused by unpatched vulnerabilities in Spring 4.3.x could result in major financial losses due to downtime, lost revenue, regulatory fines, and legal fees.
• Operational Downtime: Denial-of-service attacks or other exploits could disrupt business-critical systems, leading to significant operational and productivity losses.
• Reputation Damage: Failing to secure your software can damage your reputation, especially if a breach results in public data exposure. Rebuilding customer trust after such an event can be a long and challenging process.

Never-Ending Support for Spring: Keep Your Systems Secure Without Rushed Migration

At HeroDevs, we understand that transitioning away from end-of-life software like Spring 4.3.x can be complex and time-consuming. However, delaying security updates can expose your organization to unnecessary risk. That’s why we offer Never-Ending Support for Spring, a solution designed to keep your systems secure even if you’re not ready to upgrade.

HeroDevs’ Never-Ending Support provides:

• Ongoing Security Patches: We continue to deliver security patches for deprecated versions of Spring, protecting your systems from known vulnerabilities.
• Stability Without Risk: NES allows you to maintain your current infrastructure while addressing critical security issues, giving your team the flexibility to plan a migration on your own terms.
• Expert Engineering Support: Our experienced team offers direct support for any issues you face, ensuring that your Spring 4.3.x systems remain secure and stable until you’re ready to move forward.

Don’t Let Deprecated Versions of Spring Framework Put Your Business at Risk

The risks of using deprecated software like Spring 4.3.x are clear. Known vulnerabilities are actively being exploited by attackers, and each day without security patches puts your organization in jeopardy. Whether you’re concerned about protecting customer data, maintaining operational integrity, or safeguarding your reputation, addressing these vulnerabilities is critical.

At HeroDevs, we provide the peace of mind that comes with Never-Ending Support for Spring. Secure your systems now and give yourself the time you need to plan