geotools: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement
CVE-2022-24818 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression language statement vulnerability in geotools, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected geotools versions: >= 26.0, < 26.4; >= 25.0, < 25.6; < 24.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.41% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 84% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of geotools you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geotools | geotools | >= 26.0, < 26.4; >= 25.0, < 25.6; < 24.6 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
GeoTools is an open source Java library that provides tools for geospatial data. The GeoTools library has a number of data sources that can perform unchecked JNDI lookups, which in turn can be used to perform class deserialization and result in arbitrary code execution. Similar to the Log4J case, the vulnerability can be triggered if the JNDI names are user-provided, but requires admin-level login to be triggered. The lookups are now restricted in GeoTools 26.4, GeoTools 25.6, and GeoTools 24.6. Users unable to upgrade should ensure that any downstream application should not allow usage of remotely provided JNDI strings.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement
The product constructs all or part of an expression language (EL) statement in a framework such as a Java Server Page (JSP) using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended EL statement before it is executed.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Avoid adding user-controlled data into an expression interpreter when possible.
- If user-controlled data must be added to an expression interpreter, one or more of the following should be performed: Validate that the user input will not evaluate as an expression Encode the user input in a way that ensures it is not evaluated as an expression
- The framework or tooling might allow the developer to disable or deactivate the processing of EL expressions, such as setting the isELIgnored attribute for a JSP page to true.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-jvh2-668r-g75xThird Party Advisory
Patches and release notes
- github.com/geotools/geotools/commit/4f70fa3234391dd0cda883a20ab0ec75688cba49Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in geotools
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- 9.1 Critical severity
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- 9.8 Critical severity
OSGeo GeoServer GeoTools Eval Injection Exploited
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement vulnerabilities
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- 9.8 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
Apache Log4j2 Remote Code Execution Exploited
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