CVE-2020-5421: 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 unsuppor

This week

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-5421 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting spring framework, commerce guided search, communications brm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	11.6% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2020-09-19
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): Pivotal Software, Inc. · Vendor: oracle · vmware

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-19 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 21:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware spring framework UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.3.29 · >= 5.0.0 and < 5.0.19 · >= 5.1.0 and < 5.1.18 · >= 5.2.0 and < 5.2.9

Fixed in: 4.3.29, 5.0.19, 5.1.18, 5.2.9

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy spring-framework || rpm -q spring-framework || spring-framework --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.3.29 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade spring-framework

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade spring-framework

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spring-framework sudo apt install spring-framework=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold spring-framework

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list spring-framework sudo dnf downgrade spring-framework-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add spring-framework

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

oracle commerce guided search DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11.3.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.3.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy commerce-guided-search || rpm -q commerce-guided-search || commerce-guided-search --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11.3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison commerce-guided-search sudo apt install commerce-guided-search=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.3.2> sudo apt-mark hold commerce-guided-search

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list commerce-guided-search sudo dnf downgrade commerce-guided-search-<VERSION_BEFORE_11.3.2> sudo dnf versionlock add commerce-guided-search

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

oracle communications brm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11.3.0.9 · 12.0.0.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.3.0.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy communications-brm || rpm -q communications-brm || communications-brm --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11.3.0.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison communications-brm sudo apt install communications-brm=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.3.0.9> sudo apt-mark hold communications-brm

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list communications-brm sudo dnf downgrade communications-brm-<VERSION_BEFORE_11.3.0.9> sudo dnf versionlock add communications-brm

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

oracle communications design studio DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.3.4 · 7.3.5 · 7.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy communications-design-studio || rpm -q communications-design-studio || communications-design-studio --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.3.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison communications-design-studio sudo apt install communications-design-studio=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.4> sudo apt-mark hold communications-design-studio

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list communications-design-studio sudo dnf downgrade communications-design-studio-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.4> sudo dnf versionlock add communications-design-studio

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

oracle communications session report manager UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.2.1 and <= 8.2.2.1

Fixed in: newer than 8.2.2.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy communications-session-report-manager || rpm -q communications-session-report-manager || communications-session-report-manager --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 8.2.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade communications-session-report-manager

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade communications-session-report-manager

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison communications-session-report-manager sudo apt install communications-session-report-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold communications-session-report-manager

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list communications-session-report-manager sudo dnf downgrade communications-session-report-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add communications-session-report-manager

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

oracle communications unified inventory management DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.3.4 · 7.3.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy communications-unified-inventory-management || rpm -q communications-unified-inventory-management || communications-unified-inventory-management --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.3.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison communications-unified-inventory-management sudo apt install communications-unified-inventory-management=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.4> sudo apt-mark hold communications-unified-inventory-management

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list communications-unified-inventory-management sudo dnf downgrade communications-unified-inventory-management-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3.4> sudo dnf versionlock add communications-unified-inventory-management

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-5421?

spring framework: upgrade to 4.3.29, 5.0.19, 5.1.18, 5.2.9; commerce guided search: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; communications brm: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-5421 being exploited?

CVE-2020-5421 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-5421 affect?

CVE-2020-5421 affects spring framework, commerce guided search, communications brm. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). 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

How urgent is CVE-2020-5421?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Spring Framework vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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