CVE-2024-36401

What it is

GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to versions 2.22.6, 2.23.6, 2.24.4, and 2.25.2, multiple OGC request parameters allow Remote Code Execution (RCE) by unauthenticated users through specially crafted input against a default GeoServer installation due to unsafely evaluating property names as XPath expressions. The GeoTools library API that GeoServer calls evaluates property/attribute names for feature types in a way that unsafely passes them to the commons-jxpath library which can execute arbitrary code when evaluating XPath expressions. This XPath evaluation is intended to be used only by complex feature types (i.e., Application Schema data stores) but is incorrectly being applied to simple feature types as well which makes this vulnerability apply to **ALL** GeoServer instances. No public PoC is provided but this vulnerability has been confirmed to be exploitable through WFS GetFeature, WFS GetPropertyValue, WMS GetMap, WMS GetFeatureInfo, WMS GetLegendGraphic and WPS Execute requests. This vulnerability can lead to executing arbitrary code. Versions 2.22.6, 2.23.6, 2.24.4, and 2.25.2 contain a patch for the issue. A workaround exists by removing the `gt-complex-x.y.jar` file from the GeoServer where `x.y` is the GeoTools version (e.g., `gt-complex-31.1.jar` if running GeoServer 2.25.1). This will remove the vulnerable code from GeoServer but may break some GeoServer functionality or prevent GeoServer from deploying if the gt-complex module is needed.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

In the wild

CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2024-05-27 15:59 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2024-07-01 16:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2024-07-15 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
4. 2024-08-05 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
5. 2026-06-17 07:36 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
• Exploit odds: 99.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
• It meets the bar for Drop everything: critical, and exploited or very likely to be.

Details

Published

2024-07-01 16:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 07:36 UTC

Added to CISA KEV

2024-07-15

Exploit probability

99.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-95

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Geoserver < 2.22.6
• Geoserver < 2.23.6
• Geoserver < 2.24.4
• Geoserver < 2.25.2
• Geotools < 29.6
• Geotools < 30.4
• Geotools < 31.2
• Geotools 30.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2024-36401.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2024-36401. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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