# CVE-2026-40977: VMware Spring Boot link resolution vulnerability in ApplicationPidFileWriter

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40977-vmware-spring-boot-link-resolution-vulnerability-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-28. Updated: 2026-07-24  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-40977 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.7 · Published 2026-04-28

Spring Boot is a popular framework used by developers to build and run Java applications. A vulnerability in how the software handles process ID (PID) files could allow a local user with specific file permissions to corrupt other files on the system. This occurs when the application starts up, potentially leading to system instability or data loss if critical system files are targeted.

Technologies: [org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-springframework-boot-spring-boot-cassandra), [VMware Spring Boot](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/spring-boot). Vendors: [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven), [VMware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vmware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40977 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40977 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40977?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.7, published 28 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=4.0.0,fixed=4.0.6; VMware Spring Boot 4.0.0–4.0.5, 3.5.0–3.5.13, 3.4.0–3.4.15, 3.3.0–3.3.18, 2.7.0–2.7.32.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40977?** Yes. org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra (Maven): upgrade to 4.0.6 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-40977 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40977?** Check whether you run org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra (Maven) or VMware Spring Boot at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra (Maven): upgrade to 4.0.6 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra to 4.0.6 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Technical details

A 'Link Following' vulnerability (CWE-59) exists in Spring Boot's ApplicationPidFileWriter component. When an application is configured to write a PID file, a local attacker who already possesses write access to the directory where the PID file is stored can create a symbolic link. Because the application does not properly validate the link before writing, it will follow the symlink and overwrite the target file with the application's process ID. This attack requires local access and high privileges (PR:H) or specific directory permissions. The issue is resolved in Spring Boot versions 4.0.6, 3.5.14, 3.4.16, 3.3.19, and 2.7.33.

## Affected products

- VMware Spring Boot 4.0.0–4.0.5, 3.5.0–3.5.13, 3.4.0–3.4.15, 3.3.0–3.3.18, 2.7.0–2.7.32

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-40977
- GHSA-5368-6h4h-gr29

## Timeline

- 2026-04-28: advisory: Vendor advisory published by VMware/Spring
- 2026-04-28: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-40977](https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-40977)

## Related threats

- [VMware Spring Boot insecure directory in ArtemisEmbeddedConfigurationFactory](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41001-vmware-spring-boot-insecure-directory-in)
- [VMware Spring Boot improper certificate validation in Mail auto-configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40992-vmware-spring-boot-improper-certificate-validation-in-mail-auto)
- [Spring Boot authentication bypass in default web security filter chain](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40976-spring-boot-authentication-bypass-in-default-web-security-filter)
- [Spring Boot weak PRNG in random value property source](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40975-spring-boot-weak-prng-in-random-value-property-source)
- [VMware Spring Boot Improper Certificate Validation in Cassandra auto-configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40974-vmware-spring-boot-improper-certificate-validation-in-cassandra)