CVE-2024-28109: Core VeraPDF Has Potential XSLT Injection Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw
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CVSS 8.1
CWE-91
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-28109 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.1) verapdf has potential xslt injection vulnerability (CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection)) affecting Core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves verapdf has potential xslt injection vulnerability when using policy files. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.24.2, 1.25.127.

CVE-2024-28109 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-28109
GHSA Identifier GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.1
CWE Classification CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection)
Affected Product Core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.1

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2024-28109

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Core 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.verapdf:core fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:core-jakarta fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:core-arlington fixed: 1.25.127 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.25.127</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington fixed: 1.25.127 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.25.127</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library-arlington fixed: 1.25.127 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.25.127</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library-jakarta fixed: 1.24.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.24.2</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.verapdf

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2024-28109, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.verapdf

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.24.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.verapdf 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-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection), where the product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in xml, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the xml before it is processed by an end system. In Core, 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 Executing policy checks using custom schematron files invokes an XSL transformation that may theoretically lead to a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. ### Patches This has been patched and users should upgrade to veraPDF v1.24.2 ### Workarounds This doesn't affect the standard validation and policy checks functionality, veraPDF's common use cases. Most veraPDF users don't insert any custom XSLT code into policy profiles, which are based on Schematron syntax rather than direct XSL transforms. For users who do, only load custom policy files from sources you trust. ### References Original issue: <https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1415>

CVE-2024-28109 Affected Core Versions

9 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.24.21.25.127
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.verapdf:core
maven/org.verapdf/core
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2
org.verapdf:core-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/core-jakarta
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2
org.verapdf:core-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/core-arlington
Maven
< 1.25.127
1.25.127
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library-arlington
Maven
< 1.25.127
1.25.127
org.verapdf:verapdf-library
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library-jakarta
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2
org.verapdf:library-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/library-arlington
Maven
< 1.25.127
1.25.127
org.verapdf:library
maven/org.verapdf/library
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2
org.verapdf:library-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/library-jakarta
Maven
< 1.24.2
1.24.2

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/security/advisories/GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw
NVD — CVE-2024-28109 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28109
Core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1415
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/614ffa477a2cf0819e4b0df1ab133610e0da25fb
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/9386ecbe1a1d1fb9e886d19df28851ed07890d9f
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/d5314cbdf4e058e0716f80dbdad2dbd8d96e6bfe
Core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-28109?
CVE-2024-28109 is a security vulnerability in Core involving veraPDF has potential XSLT injection vulnerability when using policy files under CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection).
Which Core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.24.2, 1.25.127 across affected packages: org.verapdf:core, org.verapdf:core-jakarta, org.verapdf:core-arlington, org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington, org.verapdf:verapdf-library, org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta, org.verapdf:library-arlington, org.verapdf:library, org.verapdf:library-jakarta.
What version fixes CVE-2024-28109?
Upgrading to 1.24.2, 1.25.127 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is core affected?
Yes, org.verapdf:core is affected in releases prior to 1.24.2. Upgrade your dependency to 1.24.2 or later.
Is core-jakarta affected?
Yes, org.verapdf:core-jakarta is affected in releases prior to 1.24.2. Upgrade your dependency to 1.24.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-28109?
CVE-2024-28109 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-28109?
CVE-2024-28109 is classified under CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection) (The product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in XML, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the XML before it is processed by an end system.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2024-28109?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.verapdf'. 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-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw",
  "modified" : "2026-05-14T20:45:29Z",
  "published" : "2024-05-20T14:57:07Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-28109" ],
  "summary" : "veraPDF has potential XSLT injection vulnerability when using policy files",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nExecuting policy checks using custom schematron files invokes an XSL transformation that may theoretically lead to a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability.\n\n### Patches\n\nThis has been patched and users should upgrade to veraPDF v1.24.2\n\n### Workarounds\n\nThis doesn't affect the standard validation and policy checks functionality, veraPDF's common use cases. Most veraPDF users don't insert any custom XSLT code into policy profiles, which are based on Schematron syntax rather than direct XSL transforms. For users who do, only load custom policy files from sources you trust.\n\n### References\n\nOriginal issue: <https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1415>",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.25.127"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.25.127"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.25.127"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.24.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/security/advisories/GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28109"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1415"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/614ffa477a2cf0819e4b0df1ab133610e0da25fb"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/9386ecbe1a1d1fb9e886d19df28851ed07890d9f"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/d5314cbdf4e058e0716f80dbdad2dbd8d96e6bfe"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-91" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-05-20T14:57:07Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-03-28T14:15:13Z"
  }
}