CVE-2024-22259: VMware Spring Framework SSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2024-22259 Overview

CVE-2024-22259 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting VMware Spring Framework's UriComponentsBuilder component. Applications that use this class to parse externally provided URLs (such as through query parameters) and perform validation checks on the host of the parsed URL may be vulnerable to open redirect attacks or Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks when the URL is used after passing validation checks.

This vulnerability is closely related to CVE-2024-22243, addressing the same underlying issue but with different input vectors. The flaw allows attackers to bypass URL validation mechanisms, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or forcing the server to make requests to unintended internal resources.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass URL host validation, potentially leading to phishing attacks through open redirects or unauthorized access to internal resources via SSRF exploitation.

Affected Products

• VMware Spring Framework (multiple versions)
• NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager for Linux
• NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager for VMware vSphere
• NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager for Windows

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-03-16 - CVE-2024-22259 published to NVD
• 2025-06-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-22259

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in Spring Framework's UriComponentsBuilder class, which is commonly used for URL construction and parsing in Java web applications. When applications accept user-controlled URLs and use UriComponentsBuilder to parse and validate these URLs, attackers can craft malicious URLs that pass host validation checks but ultimately redirect to unintended destinations.

The attack exploits inconsistencies in how the URL parser interprets certain character sequences or URL formats compared to how the validation logic operates. This parser differential allows specially crafted URLs to appear legitimate during validation while resolving to attacker-controlled destinations at runtime.

The vulnerability is network-accessible and requires user interaction, making it particularly effective in phishing scenarios where users are tricked into clicking malicious links that appear to be validated by trusted applications.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from improper input validation (CWE-601: URL Redirection to Untrusted Site) in the UriComponentsBuilder URL parsing logic. The component fails to properly normalize or canonicalize URLs before performing host validation, creating a bypass opportunity where malicious URLs can satisfy validation checks while retaining their malicious redirect targets.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and typically involves the following scenario:

1. The attacker identifies an application endpoint that accepts URL parameters and uses UriComponentsBuilder for parsing
2. The attacker crafts a specially formatted URL that exploits parsing inconsistencies
3. The malicious URL passes the application's host validation checks
4. When the URL is subsequently used (for redirect or server-side request), it resolves to an attacker-controlled destination

For open redirect scenarios, this enables phishing attacks where victims believe they are clicking legitimate links. For SSRF scenarios, this allows attackers to force the application server to make requests to internal resources, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further attacks on internal infrastructure.

The vulnerability mechanism exploits URL parsing differentials in UriComponentsBuilder. When a crafted URL is submitted, the validation layer interprets the host component differently than the actual redirect/request handler. This differential parsing allows malicious URLs to bypass security controls while still redirecting to attacker-controlled destinations. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Spring Security CVE Analysis.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22259

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual URL patterns in application logs containing special characters or encoding sequences in query parameters
• Redirect responses to external domains that differ from expected application behavior
• Server-side requests to internal IP addresses or unexpected external hosts from the application server
• Increased user reports of being redirected to suspicious or malicious websites

Detection Strategies

• Implement URL pattern analysis in web application firewalls to detect anomalous URL structures
• Monitor application redirect logs for destinations outside expected domain allowlists
• Review server-side HTTP request logs for connections to internal network ranges or unexpected external hosts
• Audit code for usage of UriComponentsBuilder with externally provided URLs

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for URL parsing and validation components in Spring applications
• Configure alerts for redirect responses (HTTP 3xx) to domains not on approved lists
• Monitor outbound network connections from application servers for unusual internal resource access
• Implement anomaly detection for URL parameters containing suspicious encoding patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22259

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Spring Framework to the latest patched version as recommended by VMware
• Audit all application code using UriComponentsBuilder with user-supplied URLs
• Implement strict URL allowlisting rather than relying solely on host validation
• Consider using additional URL validation libraries as a defense-in-depth measure

Patch Information

VMware has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the Spring Security CVE Advisory for specific version information and upgrade guidance. NetApp users should review the NetApp Security Advisory for Active IQ Unified Manager patch information.

Workarounds

• Implement strict allowlisting of permitted redirect destinations at the application level
• Add secondary URL validation using alternative parsing libraries before accepting user-provided URLs
• Disable or restrict functionality that processes externally provided URLs until patches can be applied
• Configure network-level controls to prevent the application server from making requests to internal resources

Organizations deploying Spring Framework applications should prioritize this update, particularly for internet-facing applications that process user-provided URLs. The combination of open redirect and SSRF attack potential makes this vulnerability valuable for both phishing campaigns and internal network reconnaissance.