CVE-2026-40972: An attacker on the same network as the remote application may be able to utilize a timing attack to discover i

Routine

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-40972 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting spring boot. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An attacker on the same network as the remote application may be able to utilize a timing attack to discover information about the remote secret. In extreme circumstances this could result in the attacker determining the secret and uploading changed classes, thereby achieving remote code execution in the remote application. Affected: Spring Boot 4.0.0–4.0.5 (fix 4.0.6), 3.5.0–3.5.13 (fix 3.5.14), 3.4.0–3.4.15 (fix 3.4.16), 3.3.0–3.3.18 (fix 3.3.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 82%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-208
Published	2026-04-28
Last modified	2026-07-24

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: vmware

Last updated 2026-07-24 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-28 00:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-24 21:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware spring boot UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.7.33 · >= 3.3.0 and < 3.3.19 · >= 3.4.0 and < 3.4.16 · >= 3.5.0 and < 3.5.14 · >= 4.0.0 and < 4.0.6

Fixed in: 2.7.33, 3.3.19, 3.4.16, 3.5.14, 4.0.6

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.3.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.7.33 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade spring-boot

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 3.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spring-boot sudo apt install spring-boot=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold spring-boot

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

dnf --showduplicates list spring-boot sudo dnf downgrade spring-boot-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add spring-boot

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-2026-40972?

spring boot: upgrade to 2.7.33, 3.3.19, 3.4.16, 3.5.14, 4.0.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-40972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-40972 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-2026-40972 affect?

CVE-2026-40972 affects spring boot. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An attacker on the same network as the remote application may be able to utilize a timing attack to discover information about the remote secret. In extreme circumstances this could result in the attacker determining the secret and uploadin

How urgent is CVE-2026-40972?

Priority 31/100. High severity

Software pages

Spring Framework vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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