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 file or uses an embedded Servlet container that does not properly reject suspicious path sequences as defined by the Jakarta Servlet 6.1 specification for URI path canonicalization. Specifically, if the Servlet container fails to sanitize or block crafted URI paths containing traversal sequences (e.g., '../'), an attacker can exploit this to access unauthorized files or directories outside the intended resource path. The vulnerability is contingent on the application serving static resources via Spring's resource handling mechanism. Notably, popular Servlet containers such as Apache Tomcat and Eclipse Jetty are not vulnerable when their default security configurations are intact, as they correctly handle suspicious path sequences. However, other Servlet containers or custom configurations that disable these protections 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 base score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting a network attack vector with high attack 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. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). Given the complexity of verifying all Servlet container variants and configurations, the vendor strongly recommends upgrading Spring Framework versions to mitigate potential risks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to web applications built using the Spring Framework that serve static resources and are deployed on Servlet containers that do not enforce proper URI path canonicalization. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive files on the server, potentially exposing confidential data such as configuration files, credentials, or personal data protected under GDPR. This could lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, the main concern is unauthorized data disclosure. Organizations relying on custom or less common Servlet containers, or those with modified default security settings in Tomcat or Jetty, are at higher risk. The medium CVSS score indicates that exploitation requires a higher level of attack complexity, reducing the likelihood of widespread automated attacks but still posing a threat to targeted attacks. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current active exploitation, but the potential impact on confidentiality and the widespread use of Spring Framework in Europe’s enterprise and public sectors warrant proactive mitigation.

1. Upgrade Spring Framework to the latest patched versions as recommended by VMware to ensure the vulnerability is addressed at the framework level. 2. Verify and enforce that the Servlet container in use complies with the Jakarta Servlet 6.1 specification for URI path canonicalization, ensuring it rejects suspicious path sequences. 3. For Apache Tomcat and Eclipse Jetty users, confirm that default security features are enabled and have not been disabled or weakened through configuration changes. 4. Conduct a thorough review of static resource serving configurations in Spring MVC applications to ensure no unintended exposure of sensitive directories. 5. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting static resource endpoints. 6. Perform security testing, including fuzzing and penetration testing, focusing on path traversal vectors in the deployment environment. 7. Monitor application logs for suspicious access patterns indicative of path traversal attempts. 8. Educate development and operations teams about secure deployment practices for Servlet containers and Spring applications to prevent misconfigurations that could expose this vulnerability.