Weak AES/CBC Encryption with Null IV in Spring Security

Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves applications using AesBytesEncryptor with a two-argument constructor or a null IV generator in CBC mode. It results in encryption with AES/CBC using a null (all-zero) initialization vector, which weakens security by making the encryption predictable and vulnerable to attacks.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves AES/CBC encryption with a null initialization vector (IV). To detect it, inspect applications using Spring Security versions listed as vulnerable. Check for code using AesBytesEncryptor with two-argument constructor or null IV generator with CBC mode. Look for logs or network traffic showing encryption with all-zero IVs.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow attackers to decrypt sensitive data if they gain access to the encrypted information. It compromises confidentiality by making it easier to reverse-engineer the original plaintext from ciphertext.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability likely violates compliance requirements for data protection standards such as GDPR and HIPAA, which mandate strong encryption to protect personal and health data. Failure to address this could result in legal penalties and loss of trust.

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Mitigation Strategies

Update Spring Security to versions 7.1.0 or later, 7.0.7 or later, 6.5.12 or later, 6.4.19 or later, 5.8.28 or later, or 5.7.26 or later to address the null IV issue in AES/CBC encryption.

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