CVE-2018-11040 : What You Need to Know

Cross-domain requests through JSONP (JSON with Padding) are made possible in Spring Framework versions 5.0.x before 5.0.7 and 4.3.x before 4.3.18, as well as in older unsupported versions. This functionality is activated by AbstractJsonpResponseBodyAdvice for REST controllers and MappingJackson2JsonView for browser requests. It's important to note that these features are not enabled by default in either Spring Framework or Spring Boot. However, if MappingJackson2JsonView is configured in an application, JSONP support becomes readily available through the use of the "jsonp" and "callback" JSONP parameters. This enables the facilitation of cross-domain requests.

Understanding CVE-2018-11040

This CVE relates to enabling cross-domain requests via JSONP in Spring Framework versions prior to 5.0.7 and 4.3.18.

What is CVE-2018-11040?

CVE-2018-11040 allows web applications to enable cross-domain requests through JSONP in specific versions of Spring Framework.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11040

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform cross-domain requests, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data leakage.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11040

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows the activation of cross-domain requests through JSONP in Spring Framework versions 5.0.x before 5.0.7 and 4.3.x before 4.3.18.

Affected Systems and Versions

Spring Framework versions 5.0.x before 5.0.7
Spring Framework versions 4.3.x before 4.3.18

Exploitation Mechanism

AbstractJsonpResponseBodyAdvice for REST controllers
MappingJackson2JsonView for browser requests

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-11040 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable JSONP support if not required
Update Spring Framework to versions 5.0.7 or 4.3.18 to mitigate the vulnerability

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Spring Framework to the latest versions
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Spring Framework to address the CVE-2018-11040 vulnerability