How Spring Framework CVEs Are Patched — and What Happens After End of Life

When a new Spring Framework CVE is disclosed, teams almost immediately ask:

“Is there a patch or update available for this vulnerability?”

For Spring-based applications, the answer depends entirely on which Spring Framework version you’re running — and whether that version is still supported.

This article explains how Spring Framework CVEs are patched, where to verify fix availability, and what actually happens once a Spring version reaches end of life (EOL).

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How Spring Framework CVE Patching Works

Spring Framework vulnerabilities are patched by the Spring team only in supported release branches.

When a CVE is fixed, Spring typically:

• Publishes a security advisory describing the issue
• Releases a new Spring Framework version containing the fix
• Documents the fix in official release notes
• Distributes patched artifacts via Maven Central

There is no universal patch feed for Spring CVEs. Each CVE must be evaluated against:

• The specific Spring Framework version
• The affected module (e.g., spring-core, spring-web, spring-security)
• The fixed release version

If your application is not upgraded to a version that includes the fix, the CVE remains unresolved.

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Where to Check If a Spring CVE Is Patched

To determine whether a Spring Framework CVE has a patch available, teams should rely on Spring’s official sources.

1. Spring Security Advisories

Spring publishes security advisories that list:

• CVE identifiers
• Affected Spring versions
• Fixed versions

These advisories are an authoritative source for patch availability.

2. Spring Framework Release Notes

Release notes often reference CVEs fixed in each version. By comparing:

• Your current Spring Framework version
• The release where the CVE was fixed

You can determine whether upgrading resolves the issue.

3. Dependency Verification

Many applications use Spring via Spring Boot. Even if Boot is up to date, the underlying Spring Framework version may not be.

Security teams should always verify the actual Spring Framework artifacts present in the dependency tree.

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What Happens When Spring Framework Reaches End of Life

Like all software, Spring Framework versions eventually reach end of life.

Once a Spring version is EOL:

• No new security patches are released
• Newly disclosed CVEs are not fixed
• No backports are provided for that version

However, vulnerability scanners and audits do not stop flagging CVEs simply because a version is EOL.

This creates a common situation where teams are told:

• A Spring CVE exists
• No official patch is available
• The recommended action is to upgrade

For large or complex applications, immediate upgrades are often risky, expensive, or operationally infeasible.

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Why Many Spring CVEs Have “No Patch Available”

If you’re running an EOL Spring Framework version, a CVE may appear to have no remediation because:

• The fix exists only in newer supported branches
• Spring does not backport security fixes to EOL versions
• Public CVE databases reflect the lack of an official patch

This does not mean the vulnerability is theoretical — only that the official support window has closed.

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Options When a Spring CVE Has No Official Patch

When a Spring Framework CVE affects an unsupported version, teams typically have three options:

1. Upgrade or Migrate

• Requires code changes and retesting
• Can introduce regressions
• Often tied to a broader framework or Java upgrades

2. Accept Risk and Apply Mitigations

• Document compensating controls
• Revisit the finding during every audit

3. Use Extended Security Support for Spring Framework

For organizations that cannot immediately upgrade, extended security support can provide an alternative path.

HeroDevs offers extended security support for end-of-life Spring Framework versions, including:

• Backported fixes for known Spring CVEs
• Verifiable patch documentation
• Support for audit and compliance requirements

This allows teams to remediate vulnerabilities while planning modernization on their own timeline.

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Summary: Common Questions About Spring Framework CVEs

Are Spring Framework CVEs patched?
Yes — but only for Spring Framework versions that are still officially supported. When a CVE is disclosed, Spring releases fixes in supported branches and publishes them through security advisories and release notes.

Where can I check if a Spring CVE has a fix?
You should check Spring’s official security advisories and corresponding release notes to see which versions are affected and which versions include a fix. Dependency trees should also be reviewed to confirm the actual Spring Framework version in use.

Are Spring Framework CVEs patched after end of life?
No. Once a Spring Framework version reaches end of life, the Spring team no longer releases security patches or backports CVE fixes for that version.

What if my application is running an EOL Spring version?
If upgrading immediately isn’t feasible, organizations typically choose between accepting risk with mitigations or using extended security support to receive backported fixes for known CVEs while planning a longer-term modernization effort.