CVE-2026-2817: Spring Data Geode Info Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-2817 Overview

Spring Data Geode contains an insecure directory vulnerability in its snapshot import functionality. When importing snapshot archives, the application extracts contents into predictable and overly permissive directories under the system temporary location. On shared hosting environments, this allows a local user with basic privileges to access another user's extracted snapshot contents, potentially leading to unintended exposure of sensitive cache data.

Critical Impact

Local attackers on shared systems can access extracted snapshot contents from other users, exposing potentially sensitive cache data including application state and cached credentials.

Affected Products

• Spring Data Geode (snapshot import functionality)

Discovery Timeline

• February 19, 2026 - CVE CVE-2026-2817 published to NVD
• February 19, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-2817

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-378 (Creation of Temporary File With Insecure Permissions). The issue stems from Spring Data Geode's snapshot import mechanism creating extraction directories in predictable locations within the system's temporary directory (/tmp on Unix-like systems or %TEMP% on Windows) without applying restrictive permissions.

When a user imports a snapshot archive, the extracted files inherit permissions that allow other local users to read the contents. In multi-tenant or shared hosting environments, this creates a significant information disclosure risk where cached data from one application tenant could be accessed by another.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the insecure handling of temporary directories during snapshot extraction. The application fails to:

1. Generate unpredictable directory names for extraction targets
2. Apply restrictive file permissions (e.g., mode 0700) to created directories
3. Validate that only the owning user can access extracted contents

This combination of predictable paths and permissive default permissions creates a window where sensitive data can be accessed by unauthorized local users.

Attack Vector

This is a local attack vector requiring the attacker to have basic user-level access to the same system where Spring Data Geode is running. The attack scenario involves:

1. An attacker monitors the system temp directory for newly created snapshot extraction directories
2. Due to predictable naming conventions, the attacker can anticipate or discover extraction paths
3. The permissive directory permissions allow the attacker to read extracted snapshot contents
4. Sensitive cache data, including application state, serialized objects, and potentially credentials, becomes accessible

The attack requires local access but no elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning in containerized or shared cloud environments where multiple tenants may share underlying infrastructure.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-2817

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected read access attempts on directories within system temp locations matching Spring Data Geode snapshot patterns
• File access logs showing multiple users accessing the same temporary extraction directories
• Unusual auditd or file integrity monitoring alerts for temp directory operations by non-owner processes
• Evidence of enumeration activities targeting predictable temp directory structures

Detection Strategies

• Implement file access auditing on system temp directories to monitor cross-user file access attempts
• Deploy file integrity monitoring (FIM) solutions to track creation and access of snapshot extraction directories
• Configure SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect anomalous file access patterns in temporary directories
• Monitor for privilege escalation attempts following local information disclosure events

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for Spring Data Geode snapshot import operations
• Configure system audit frameworks (auditd on Linux, Windows Security Event logging) to capture temp directory access events
• Implement alerts for file access by users other than the creating process owner in temp locations
• Monitor application logs for snapshot import activities and correlate with file system events

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-2817

Immediate Actions Required

• Review current Spring Data Geode deployments for snapshot import usage and assess exposure
• On shared systems, restrict access to temp directories using operating system controls
• Consider moving snapshot operations to dedicated, restricted directories outside of system temp
• Audit existing snapshot files in temp directories for potential data exposure

Patch Information

Consult the HeroDev CVE-2026-2817 Advisory for the latest patch information and updated versions of Spring Data Geode that address this vulnerability. Apply vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available.

Workarounds

• Configure Spring Data Geode to use a custom, secure directory with restrictive permissions (mode 0700) instead of the system temp location
• Implement umask 077 for processes running Spring Data Geode to enforce restrictive default permissions
• Use container isolation or dedicated virtual machines to prevent local user cross-access scenarios
• Apply filesystem ACLs to restrict temp directory visibility between users on shared systems

# Configuration example - Restrict temp directory permissions
# Create a dedicated secure directory for snapshot operations
mkdir -p /opt/geode/secure-snapshots
chmod 700 /opt/geode/secure-snapshots
chown appuser:appgroup /opt/geode/secure-snapshots

# Set restrictive umask before running the application
umask 077