# What is CVE-2020-5421?

> CVE-2020-5421 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) in Spring Framework from VMware, published on 19 September 2020. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 12%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2020-5421

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 43 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Medium (CVSS 6.5 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 12% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 19 September 2020
- **Record last updated:** 7 November 2023
- **Main product:** Spring Framework from VMware
- **Affected products:** 38

## What is CVE-2020-5421? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet with an ordinary user account, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can change data.

### The official description

In Spring Framework versions 5.2.0 - 5.2.8, 5.1.0 - 5.1.17, 5.0.0 - 5.0.18, 4.3.0 - 4.3.28, and older unsupported versions, the protections against RFD attacks from CVE-2015-5211 may be bypassed depending on the browser used through the use of a jsessionid path parameter.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- Unknown: Unknown

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Hard: conditions must line up
- Login needed first: An ordinary user account
- Does someone have to click: Yes, a person has to take an action
- What an attacker gets: Can change data

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N`

## Is CVE-2020-5421 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 12%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 11%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 12%, 12%, 12%.

### Timeline

- 19 September 2020: Published
- 7 November 2023: Record last updated
- 11 June 2025: Exploit likelihood jumped
- 22 November 2025: Exploit likelihood fell

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2020-5421 scores **43 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2020-5421?

The published record lists 38 products. Versions are as published: "before 4.3.29" means every version up to, but not including, 4.3.29.

- [Spring Framework](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/vmware/spring_framework) by [VMware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/vmware) (Application): before 4.3.29, 5.0.0 to before 5.0.19, 5.1.0 to before 5.1.18, 5.2.0 to before 5.2.9
- [Retail Xstore Point of Service](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_xstore_point_of_service) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 15.0.4, 16.0.6, 17.0.4, 18.0.3, 19.0.2
- [Weblogic Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/weblogic_server) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 10.3.6.0.0, 12.1.3.0.0, 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0
- [Insurance Policy Administration](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/insurance_policy_administration) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 10.2, 10.2.4, 11.0.2, 11.1.0 to 11.3.0
- [Insurance Rules Palette](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/insurance_rules_palette) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 10.2.0, 10.2.4, 11.0.2, 11.1.0 to 11.3.0
- [Primavera Gateway](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/primavera_gateway) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.2.0 to 16.2.11, 17.12.0 to 17.12.9, 18.8.0 to 18.8.10, 19.12.0 to 19.12.10
- [Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/primavera_p6_enterprise_project_portfolio_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.1.0 to 16.2.20, 17.1.0 to 17.12.19, 18.1.0 to 18.8.21, 19.12.0 to 19.12.10
- [Communications Design Studio](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_design_studio) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 7.3.4, 7.3.5, 7.4.0
- [Retail Financial Integration](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_financial_integration) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.1.3, 15.0.3, 16.0.3
- [Retail Integration Bus](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_integration_bus) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.1.3, 15.0.3, 16.0.3
- [Retail Service Backbone](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_service_backbone) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.1.3, 15.0.3, 16.0.3
- [Communications Brm](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_brm) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 11.3.0.9, 12.0.0.3
- [Communications Unified Inventory Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_unified_inventory_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 7.3.4, 7.3.5
- [Enterprise Data Quality](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/enterprise_data_quality) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0
- [Flexcube Private Banking](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/flexcube_private_banking) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.0.0, 12.1.0
- [Fusion Middleware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/fusion_middleware) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0
- [Mysql Enterprise Monitor](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/mysql_enterprise_monitor) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): up to 8.0.22, 8.0.23
- [Retail Invoice Matching](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_invoice_matching) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.0, 14.1
- [Retail Order Broker](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_order_broker) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 15.0, 16.0
- [Commerce Guided Search](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/commerce_guided_search) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 11.3.2
- [Communications Session Report Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_session_report_manager) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.2.1 to 8.2.2.1
- [Endeca Information Discovery Integrator](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/endeca_information_discovery_integrator) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 3.2.0
- [Financial Services Analytical Applications Infrastructure](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/financial_services_analytical_applications_infrastructure) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.0.6 to 8.1.0
- [Goldengate Application Adapters](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/goldengate_application_adapters) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 19.1.0.0.0
- [Healthcare Master Person Index](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/healthcare_master_person_index) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 4.0.2.5
- [Hyperion Infrastructure Technology](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/hyperion_infrastructure_technology) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 11.1.2.4
- [Oncommand Insight](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/oncommand_insight) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified
- [Retail Assortment Planning](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_assortment_planning) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.0.3.0
- [Retail Bulk Data Integration](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_bulk_data_integration) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.0.3.0
- [Retail Customer Engagement](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_customer_engagement) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.0 to 19.0
- [Retail Customer Management and Segmentation Foundation](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_customer_management_and_segmentation_foundation) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.0 to 19.0
- [Retail Merchandising System](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_merchandising_system) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 16.0.3
- [Retail Predictive Application Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_predictive_application_server) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.1
- [Retail Returns Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/retail_returns_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.1
- [Snap Creator Framework](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/snap_creator_framework) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified
- [Snapcenter](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/snapcenter) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified
- [Storagetek Acsls](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/storagetek_acsls) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.5.1
- [Storagetek Tape Analytics Sw Tool](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/storagetek_tape_analytics_sw_tool) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 2.3

## How do I fix CVE-2020-5421?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [tanzu.vmware.com](https://tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2020-5421) (Vendor advisory)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1c679c43fa4f7846d748a937955c7921436d1b315445978254442163%40%3Ccommits.ambari.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1eccdbd7986618a7319ee7a533bd9d9bf6e8678e59dd4cca9b5b2d7a%40%3Cissues.ambari.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3589ed0d18edeb79028615080d5a0e8878856436bb91774a3196d9eb%40%3Ccommits.pulsar.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r503e64b43a57fd68229cac4a869d1a9a2eac9e75f8719cad3a840211%40%3Ccommits.pulsar.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5c95eff679dfc642e9e4ab5ac6d202248a59cb1e9457cfbe8b729ac5%40%3Cissues.ambari.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7e6a213eea7f04fc6d9e3bd6eb8d68c4df92a22e956e95cb2c482865%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8b496b1743d128e6861ee0ed3c3c48cc56c505b38f84fa5baf7ae33a%40%3Cdev.ambari.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r918caad55dcc640a16753b00d8d6acb90b4e36de4b6156d0867246ec%40%3Ccommits.pulsar.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9f13cccb214495e14648d2c9b8f2c6072fd5219e74502dd35ede81e1%40%3Cdev.ambari.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra889d95141059c6cbe77dd80249bb488ae53b274b5f3abad09d9511d%40%3Cuser.ignite.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/raf7ca57033e537e4f9d7df7f192fa6968c1e49409b2348e08d807ccb%40%3Cuser.ignite.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb18ed999153ef0f0cb7af03efe0046c42c7242fd77fbd884a75ecfdc%40%3Ccommits.pulsar.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc9efaf6db98bee19db1bc911d0fa442287dac5cb229d4aaa08b6a13d%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd462a8b0dfab4c15e67c0672cd3c211ecd0e4f018f824082ed54f665%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/re014a49d77f038ba70e5e9934d400af6653e8c9ac110d32b1254127e%40%3Cdev.ranger.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf00d8f4101a1c1ea4de6ea1e09ddf7472cfd306745c90d6da87ae074%40%3Cdev.hive.apache.org%3E)
- [security.netapp.com](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210513-0009/) (Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html) (Not applicable, Third-party advisory)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2020-5421?

CVE-2020-5421 is a medium-severity flaw in Spring Framework from VMware, published on 19 September 2020. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet with an ordinary user account, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can change data.

### How serious is CVE-2020-5421?

It scores 6.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is medium. Our risk score for CVE-2020-5421 is 43 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.

### Is CVE-2020-5421 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 12%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2020-5421 affect?

For Spring Framework from VMware: before 4.3.29, 5.0.0 to before 5.0.19, 5.1.0 to before 5.1.18, 5.2.0 to before 5.2.9. The record lists 38 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2020-5421?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2020-5421 affect you?

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- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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