CVE-2024-36401: 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...

Description

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

99.81%

100.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Aug 5, 2024.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Geoserver	Geoserver	< 2.22.6
Geoserver	Geoserver	>= 2.23.0, < 2.23.6
Geoserver	Geoserver	>= 2.24.0, < 2.24.4
Geoserver	Geoserver	>= 2.25.0, < 2.25.2
Geotools	Geotools	< 29.6
Geotools	Geotools	>= 30.1, < 30.4
Geotools	Geotools	>= 31.1, < 31.2
Geotools	Geotools	30.0
Geotools	Geotools	31.0

References

https://github.com/Warxim/CVE-2022-41852?tab=readme-ov-file#workaround-for-cve-2022-41852Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/geoserver/geoserver/security/advisories/GHSA-6jj6-gm7p-fcvvMitigation, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/geotools/geotools/pull/4797Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-w3pj-wh35-fq8wExploit, Vendor Advisory
https://osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOT-7587Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/Warxim/CVE-2022-41852?tab=readme-ov-file#workaround-for-cve-2022-41852Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/geoserver/geoserver/security/advisories/GHSA-6jj6-gm7p-fcvvMitigation, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/geotools/geotools/pull/4797Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-w3pj-wh35-fq8wExploit, Vendor Advisory
https://osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOT-7587Vendor Advisory
https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/geoserver-rce-cve-2024-36401Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-36401US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Jul 1, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-36401?

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.

How severe is CVE-2024-36401?

CVE-2024-36401 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.81% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2024-36401?

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.