geoserver: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2025-30220 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in geoserver, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected geoserver versions: >= 2.27.0, < 2.27.1; >= 2.26.0, < 2.26.3; < 2.25.7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 43.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.24% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Geotools to 28.6.1 or 31.7 or 32.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Geonetwork to 4.2.13 or 4.4.8, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geoserver | geoserver | >= 2.27.0, < 2.27.1; >= 2.26.0, < 2.26.3; < 2.25.7 | Not stated |
| Geotools | Geotools | before 28.6.1; 29.0 up to, but not including, 31.7; 32.0 up to, but not including, 32.3; 33.0 | 28.6.1, 31.7, 32.3 |
| Osgeo | Geonetwork | 4.2.0 up to, but not including, 4.2.13; 4.4.0 up to, but not including, 4.4.8 | 4.2.13, 4.4.8 |
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.9 | Critical | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. GeoTools Schema class use of Eclipse XSD library to represent schema data structure is vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) exploit. This impacts whoever exposes XML processing with gt-xsd-core involved in parsing, when the documents carry a reference to an external XML schema. The gt-xsd-core Schemas class is not using the EntityResolver provided by the ParserHandler (if any was configured). This also impacts users of gt-wfs-ng DataStore where the ENTITY_RESOLVER connection parameter was not being used as intended. This vulnerability is fixed in GeoTools 33.1, 32.3, 31.7, and 28.6.1, GeoServer 2.27.1, 2.26.3, and 2.25.7, and GeoNetwork 4.4.8 and 4.2.13.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Many XML parsers and validators can be configured to disable external entity expansion.
More Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-611)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvcThird Party Advisory
- github.com/geoserver/geoserver/security/advisories/GHSA-jj54-8f66-c5pcExploit, Third Party Advisory
- github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vwThird Party Advisory
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in geoserver
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
OSGeo GeoServer GeoTools Eval Injection Exploited
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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