CVE-2021-28398

Name: CVE-2021-28398
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-09-05T17:15:19.083+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.2/10EPSS 1.09%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-28398 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.2/10 on the CVSS scale. A privileged attacker in GeoNetwork before 3.12.0 and 4.x before 4.0.4 can use the directory harvester before-script to execute arbitrary OS commands remotely on the hosting infrastructure. A User Administrator or Administrator account is required to perform this. EPSS estimates a 1.09% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A privileged attacker in GeoNetwork before 3.12.0 and 4.x before 4.0.4 can use the directory harvester before-script to execute arbitrary OS commands remotely on the hosting infrastructure. A User Administrator or Administrator account is required to perform this. This occurs in the runBeforeScript method in harvesters/src/main/java/org/fao/geonet/kernel/harvest/harvester/localfilesystem/LocalFilesystemHarvester.java. The earliest affected version is 3.4.0.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.2/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.09%

61.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-78

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Osgeo	Geonetwork	>= 3.4.0, < 3.12.0	—
Osgeo	Geonetwork	>= 4.0.0, < 4.0.4	—
Osgeo	Geonetwork	4.0.0	Alpha1

References

https://geonetwork-opensource.org/Product
https://geonetwork-opensource.org/manuals/trunk/en/overview/change-log/version-3.6.0.htmlPatch, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetworkThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-cf8p-c88c-h9jfMitigation, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://geonetwork-opensource.org/Product
https://geonetwork-opensource.org/manuals/trunk/en/overview/change-log/version-3.6.0.htmlPatch, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetworkThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-cf8p-c88c-h9jfMitigation, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 5, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-28398?

How severe is CVE-2021-28398?

CVE-2021-28398 has a CVSS score of 7.2/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.09% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-28398?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-28398?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST