IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.5
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2020-5410|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Config Directory Traversal Vulnerability

Spring, by VMware Tanzu, Cloud Config contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows applications to serve arbitrary configuration files.

Published Jun 2, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-04-15 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-23) (CWE-23) vulnerability in VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server. Spring Cloud Config, versions 2.2.x prior to 2.2.3, versions 2.1.x prior to 2.1.9, and older unsupported versions allow applications to serve arbitrary configuration files through the spring-cloud-config-server module. A malicious user, or attacker, can send a request using a specially crafted URL that can lead to a directory traversal attack. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Virtualisation Administrators
Infrastructure Team
IT Security
Running spring cloud config: 2.1.0 ≤ v < 2.1.9, 2.2.0 ≤ v < 2.2.3
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-25 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2022-04-15.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://tanzu.vmware.com/security/cve-2020-5410
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5410
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-5410
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