# CVE-2021-22053: Code injection in spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code via SpringEL injection in Hystrix Dashboard when Thymeleaf is also present.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Nov 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gx3f-hq7p-8fxv

## What is CVE-2021-22053?

CVE-2021-22053 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Spring Cloud Netflix, published on 19 Nov 2021. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Applications using both `spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard` and `spring-boot-starter-thymeleaf` expose a way to execute code submitted within the request URI path during the resolution of view templates. When a request is made at `/hystrix/monitor;[user-provided data]`, the path elements following `hystrix/monitor` are being evaluated as SpringEL expressions, which can lead to code execution.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-22053?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard` | Maven | All versions | 2.2.10.RELEASE |
| `org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard` | Maven | All versions | 2.2.10.RELEASE |

Products: Vmware Spring Cloud Netflix.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-22053?

Upgrade org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard to 2.2.10.RELEASE or later.

## Is CVE-2021-22053 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-22053 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Spring Cloud Netflix Hystrix Dashboard template resolution vulnerability CVE-2021-22053 (github_poc): https://github.com/SecCoder-Security-Lab/spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard-cve-2021-22053
-  CVE-2021-22053: Spring Cloud Netflix Hystrix Dashboard template resolution vulnerability (github_poc): https://github.com/Vulnmachines/CVE-2021-22053
- Spring Cloud Netflix Hystrix Dashboard <2.2.10 - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-22053.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Spring Cloud Netflix

- [CVE-2020-5412](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-5412/): Hystrix Dashboard Proxy In spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-22053 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-22053 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Spring Cloud Netflix, published on 19 Nov 2021. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-22053 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.2.10.RELEASE
- org.springframework.cloud:spring-cloud-netflix-hystrix-dashboard (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.2.10.RELEASE

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22053/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22053/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-22053
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22053
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-22053

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22053/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.