CVE-2025-41242 is a path traversal vulnerability affecting Spring Framework MVC applications when deployed on certain non-compliant Servlet containers. The vulnerability arises when an application is packaged as a WAR or uses an embedded Servlet container that does not properly reject suspicious URI path sequences, as outlined in the Jakarta Servlet 6.1 specification on URI path canonicalization. Specifically, if the Servlet container fails to normalize or reject crafted path sequences, attackers can exploit this to traverse directories outside the intended resource path. This is particularly relevant when the application serves static resources using Spring's resource handling mechanisms. Importantly, popular Servlet containers such as Apache Tomcat and Eclipse Jetty are not vulnerable if their default security configurations are intact. However, other Servlet containers or customized configurations that disable security features may expose applications to this vulnerability. The affected Spring Framework versions include 5.3.x, 6.1.x, and 6.2.x. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting a network attack vector with high complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and a significant impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the risk remains due to the widespread use of Spring Framework in enterprise Java applications and the variability of Servlet container configurations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of compliant Servlet container behavior in URI path normalization to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files or directories via crafted URL paths.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality, as attackers could potentially access sensitive static resources or files outside the intended web root, leading to data leakage. Given the extensive adoption of Spring Framework in enterprise applications across Europe, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, exploitation could expose sensitive personal data or intellectual property. The impact is heightened in organizations using less common or customized Servlet containers that do not enforce strict URI path normalization, increasing the attack surface. While the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, unauthorized data disclosure can lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium CVSS score and the complexity of verifying container compliance mean organizations should proactively assess and remediate. The threat is particularly relevant for web-facing applications serving static content and those deployed in hybrid or cloud environments where embedded Servlet containers are common.

European organizations should take the following specific steps: 1) Audit all Spring Framework MVC applications to identify the Servlet container in use and verify compliance with the Jakarta Servlet 6.1 URI path canonicalization requirements. 2) For applications deployed on Apache Tomcat or Eclipse Jetty, ensure default security features are enabled and have not been disabled or weakened in configuration files. 3) For other Servlet containers, validate their behavior against the URI path normalization specification or consider migrating to compliant containers. 4) Upgrade Spring Framework to the latest patched versions within the affected branches (5.3.x, 6.1.x, 6.2.x) as recommended by VMware to incorporate any fixes or mitigations. 5) Implement strict input validation and URL filtering at the application or web server level to detect and block suspicious path sequences. 6) Conduct penetration testing focusing on path traversal attempts to verify the effectiveness of mitigations. 7) Monitor web server and application logs for anomalous requests containing suspicious path sequences. 8) Educate development and operations teams about the risks of disabling default security features in Servlet containers. These targeted actions go beyond generic patching advice by emphasizing container compliance verification, configuration hardening, and proactive detection.