# CVE-2026-41852: VMware Spring Framework authorization bypass in SpEL

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41852-vmware-spring-framework-authorization-bypass-in-spel  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-09. Updated: 2026-07-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-41852 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.7 · Published 2026-06-09

The Spring Framework, a widely used foundation for building Java applications, contains a flaw in how it processes certain internal expressions. This issue allows an attacker to trigger specific functions within the application that were intended to be restricted or read-only. While the risk is rated as low, it could lead to unintended application behavior or minor service disruptions.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-41852 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41852 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-41852?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.7, published 9 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.springframework:spring-expression (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=7.0.0,fixed=7.0.8; VMware Spring Framework 7.0.0 through 7.0.7, 6.2.0 through 6.2.18, 6.1.0 through 6.1.27, 5.3.0 through 5.3.48, 7.0.0 through 7.0.7; 6.2.0 through 6.2.18; 6.1.0 through 6.1.27; 5.3.0 through 5.3.48.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-41852?** Yes. org.springframework:spring-expression (Maven): upgrade to 7.0.8 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-41852 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-41852?** Check whether you run org.springframework:spring-expression (Maven) or VMware Spring Framework 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:spring-expression (Maven): upgrade to 7.0.8 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.springframework:spring-expression to 7.0.8 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in the Spring Expression Language (SpEL) evaluation logic within the spring-expression module. The root cause is an incorrect authorization check (CWE-863) that fails to properly restrict method calls in supposedly limited or read-only evaluation contexts. A remote attacker can exploit this by providing crafted SpEL expressions that invoke arbitrary zero-argument methods, potentially triggering unintended application logic. The attack complexity is considered high as it requires the application to be configured to evaluate user-supplied SpEL in a restricted context. Patches are available in versions 7.0.8 and 6.2.19.

## Affected products

- VMware Spring Framework 7.0.0 through 7.0.7, 6.2.0 through 6.2.18, 6.1.0 through 6.1.27, 5.3.0 through 5.3.48

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-41852
- GHSA-9f52-rjqv-25qv

## Timeline

- 2026-06-09: disclosed
- 2026-06-09: advisory
- 2026-07-30: patched

## References

- [https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-41852](https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-41852)
- [https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/releases/tag/v6.2.19](https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/releases/tag/v6.2.19)
- [https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/releases/tag/v7.0.8](https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-framework/releases/tag/v7.0.8)

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