CVE-2020-5410
CVE-2020-5410 is a security flaw in VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server, VMware’s software for running virtual machines in data centres. Attackers can read files on VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server that should be out of reach. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Mar 2022.[1]
VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Fixed in version 2.1.9 and 2.2.3 of Spring Cloud Config.
Description
CISA calls it a spring cloud config directory traversal in VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server. In its words: “Spring, by VMware Tanzu, Cloud Config contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows applications to serve arbitrary configuration files.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “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.”[2]
The underlying weakness is CWE-23, in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.5 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Spring Cloud Config | 2.1.9 |
| Spring Cloud Config | 2.2.3 |
Most families won’t have VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Mar 2022, 661 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 15 Apr 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 96%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
VMware Tanzu has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Configuration (Config) Server is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed (fixed in version 2.1.9 and 2.2.3 of Spring Cloud Config), or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 15 Apr 2022 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.5.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 96%.[4] |
See also
Other VMware Tanzu flaws
- CVE-2022-22963, VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud: function remote code execution ·
- CVE-2018-1273, VMware Tanzu Spring Data Commons: property binder ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2026-76519, Cisco Secure Email Gateway: relative path traversal ·
- CVE-2026-34926, Trend Micro Apex One: (on-premise) directory traversal ·
- CVE-2024-27199, JetBrains TeamCity: relative path traversal ·
- CVE-2025-64446, Fortinet FortiWeb: path traversal ·
- CVE-2022-37042, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): authentication bypass ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-26318, WatchGuard Firebox and XTM Appliances: arbitrary code execution ·
- CVE-2022-26143, Mitel MiCollab, MiVoice Business Express: access control ·
- CVE-2022-21999, Microsoft Windows: print spooler privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2021-42237, Sitecore XP: remote command execution ·
- CVE-2021-22941, Citrix ShareFile: improper access control ·
Every VMware Tanzu flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in March 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud Config Directory Traversal Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Mar 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2020-5410 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 2 Jun 2020.
- ^ VMware Tanzu. Advisories and fixes: tanzu.vmware.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.956, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2020-5410”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.