GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc: Gn web app GeoNetwork Affected By XML External Vulnerability

HIGH
Share
CVSS 8.2
CWE-918 CWE-611
Published
Advisory Summary

GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc is a HIGH (CVSS 8.2) geonetwork affected by xml external vulnerability (CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)) affecting Gn web app libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves geonetwork affected by xml external entity (xxe) processing vulnerability in wfs indexing rest api endpoint. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.4.8, 4.2.13.

GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc at a Glance

CVE Identifier N/A
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.2
CWE Classification CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Affected Product Gn web app
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.2

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability Low (A:L)

How to Fix GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Gn web app dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app fixed: 4.4.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.geonetwork-opensource</groupId>
    <artifactId>gn-web-app</artifactId>
    <version>4.4.8</version>
</dependency>
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app fixed: 4.2.13 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.geonetwork-opensource</groupId>
    <artifactId>gn-web-app</artifactId>
    <version>4.2.13</version>
</dependency>
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester fixed: 4.4.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.geonetwork-opensource</groupId>
    <artifactId>gn-wfsfeature-harvester</artifactId>
    <version>4.4.8</version>
</dependency>
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester fixed: 4.2.13 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.geonetwork-opensource</groupId>
    <artifactId>gn-wfsfeature-harvester</artifactId>
    <version>4.2.13</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.geonetwork-opensource

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.geonetwork-opensource

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Gn web app in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.4.8), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.geonetwork-opensource command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where the web server receives a url or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this url, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination. In Gn web app, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact GeoNetwork WFS Index functionality is affected by GeoTools XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability during schema validation. This vulnerability is particularly severe as the REST API endpoint was not secured, potentially allowing unauthenticated attackers to read sensitive files ### Patches GeoNetwork 4.4.8 / 4.2.13. ### Workarounds Remove the ``gn-wfsfeature-harvester`` and ``gn-camelPeriodicProducer`` jars, disabling the WFS Index functionality. ### References - [GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw](https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw) - https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8757 - https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8803 - https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8812

GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc Affected Gn web app Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
4.4.84.2.13
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource/gn-web-app
Maven
≥ 4.4.0
< 4.4.8
4.4.8
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource/gn-web-app
Maven
≥ 4.2.0
< 4.2.13
4.2.13
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource/gn-wfsfeature-harvester
Maven
≥ 4.4.0
< 4.4.8
4.4.8
org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource/gn-wfsfeature-harvester
Maven
≥ 4.2.0
< 4.2.13
4.2.13

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw
Gn web app Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8757
Gn web app Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8803
Gn web app Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8812
Gn web app Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc?
GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc is a security vulnerability in Gn web app involving GeoNetwork affected by XML External Entity (XXE) processing vulnerability in WFS indexing REST API endpoint under CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF).
Which Gn web app versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 4.4.8, 4.2.13 across affected packages: org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app, org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester.
What version fixes GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc?
Upgrading to 4.4.8, 4.2.13 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is gn-web-app affected?
Yes, org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app is affected in releases prior to 4.4.8, 4.2.13. Upgrade your dependency to 4.4.8, 4.2.13 or later.
Is gn-wfsfeature-harvester affected?
Yes, org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester is affected in releases prior to 4.4.8, 4.2.13. Upgrade your dependency to 4.4.8, 4.2.13 or later.
What is the CVSS score of GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc?
GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.2 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L.
What CWE is associated with GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc?
GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc is classified under CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) (The web server receives a URL or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this URL, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.geonetwork-opensource'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc",
  "modified" : "2025-06-10T20:10:42Z",
  "published" : "2025-06-10T20:10:42Z",
  "aliases" : [ ],
  "summary" : "GeoNetwork affected by XML External Entity (XXE) processing vulnerability in WFS indexing REST API endpoint",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nGeoNetwork WFS Index functionality is affected by GeoTools XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability during schema validation. \n\nThis vulnerability is particularly severe as the REST API endpoint was not secured, potentially allowing unauthenticated attackers to read sensitive files \n\n### Patches\n\nGeoNetwork 4.4.8 / 4.2.13.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nRemove the ``gn-wfsfeature-harvester`` and ``gn-camelPeriodicProducer``  jars, disabling the WFS Index functionality. \n\n### References\n\n- [GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw](https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw)\n- https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8757\n- https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8803\n- https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8812",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.4.8"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.4.7"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-app"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.2.13"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.2.12"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.4.8"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.4.7"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-wfsfeature-harvester"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.2.13"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.2.12"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-2p76-gc46-5fvc"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geotools/geotools/security/advisories/GHSA-826p-4gcg-35vw"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8757"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8803"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/8812"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-611", "CWE-918" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2025-06-10T20:10:42Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}