Spring Boot's PID file write follows symlinks at predictable default path

Description

When an application is configured to use ApplicationPidFileWriter, a local attacker with write access to the PID file's location can corrupt one file on the host each time the application is started.

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 3.3.19), 2.7.0–2.7.32 (fix 2.7.33); PID file / symlink behavior (ApplicationPidFileWriter). Versions that are no longer supported are also affected per vendor advisory.

Basic information

Type
reviewed
Severity
medium
Advisory on GitHub
Open advisory ↗
Repository advisory
Source code
Browse source ↗
Published (advisory)
2026-04-28 00:31:41 UTC
Updated
2026-05-06 19:05:37 UTC
GitHub reviewed
2026-05-06 19:05:35 UTC
NVD published
2026-04-27

EPSS Score

Score Percentile
0.02% 4.22%

CVSS Scores

Base score Version Severity Vector
4.7 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H Click to expand
Attack vector (AV:L)
They already need access on the box, or another person has to do something wrong; it’s not a remote drive-by.
Attack complexity (AC:H)
Even with access, the exploit needs extra luck, timing, or a fussy environment to actually work.
Privileges required (PR:H)
They need powerful rights—admin, root, or similar—before this pays off.
User interaction (UI:N)
Nobody has to click “OK” or open a trap file; it can work without a victim helping.
Scope (S:U)
Damage stays in the same “trust bubble” as the broken component—no big spill into unrelated systems.
Confidentiality (C:N)
Doesn’t really leak secrets in a meaningful way.
Integrity (I:L)
Attackers could change some data, but it’s limited—not everything goes.
Availability (A:H)
Could take the service down hard or make it unusable for people who depend on it.

Identifiers

CWEs

CWE id Name
CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Affected packages (5)

Vulnerable version ranges and first patched releases as published by GitHub.

Ecosystem Package Vulnerable range First patched Vulnerable functions
maven org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra >= 4.0.0, < 4.0.6 4.0.6
maven org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra >= 3.5.0, < 3.5.14 3.5.14
maven org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra >= 3.4.0, <= 3.4.15
maven org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra >= 3.3.0, <= 3.3.18
maven org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-cassandra <= 2.7.32

References

cvelogic Threat Intelligence