CVE-2024-52800: Core VeraPDF CLI Has Potential XXE Vulnerability

LOW
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4cx5-89vm-833x
Share
CWE-611
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-52800 is a LOW verapdf cli has potential xxe vulnerability (CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) affecting Core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves verapdf cli has potential xxe (xml external entity injection) vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.26.2.

CVE-2024-52800 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-52800
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4cx5-89vm-833x
Severity LOW
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Affected Product Core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2024-52800

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: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:core-jakarta fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:core-arlington fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>core-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>verapdf-library-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library-jakarta fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</version>
</dependency>
org.verapdf:library-arlington fixed: 1.26.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.verapdf</groupId>
    <artifactId>library-arlington</artifactId>
    <version>1.26.2</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-2024-52800, 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 1.26.2), 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-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, where the product processes an xml document that can contain xml entities with uris that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output. 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 via the CLI invokes an XSL transformation that may theoretically lead to a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. ### Patches We are currently working on a patch that will be released when ready. ### 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: #1488

CVE-2024-52800 Affected Core Versions

9 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.26.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.verapdf:core
maven/org.verapdf/core
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:core-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/core-jakarta
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:core-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/core-arlington
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:verapdf-library
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library-jakarta
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/verapdf-library-arlington
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:library
maven/org.verapdf/library
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:library-jakarta
maven/org.verapdf/library-jakarta
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2
org.verapdf:library-arlington
maven/org.verapdf/library-arlington
Maven
< 1.26.2
1.26.2

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/security/advisories/GHSA-4cx5-89vm-833x
NVD — CVE-2024-52800 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-52800
Core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1488
Core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-52800?
CVE-2024-52800 is a security vulnerability in Core involving veraPDF CLI has potential XXE (XML External Entity Injection) vulnerability under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference.
Which Core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.26.2 across affected packages: org.verapdf:core, org.verapdf:core-jakarta, org.verapdf:core-arlington, org.verapdf:verapdf-library, org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta, org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington, org.verapdf:library, org.verapdf:library-jakarta, org.verapdf:library-arlington.
What version fixes CVE-2024-52800?
Upgrading to 1.26.2 (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 1.26.2. Upgrade your dependency to 1.26.2 or later.
Is core-jakarta affected?
Yes, org.verapdf:core-jakarta is affected in releases prior to 1.26.2. Upgrade your dependency to 1.26.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-52800?
CVE-2024-52800 is classified under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2024-52800?
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-4cx5-89vm-833x",
  "modified" : "2026-05-14T20:44:45Z",
  "published" : "2024-12-02T17:15:24Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-52800" ],
  "summary" : "veraPDF CLI has potential XXE (XML External Entity Injection) vulnerability",
  "details" : "### Impact\nExecuting policy checks using custom schematron files via the CLI invokes an XSL transformation that may theoretically lead to a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability.\n\n### Patches\nWe are currently working on a patch that will be released when ready.\n\n### Workarounds\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\nOriginal issue: #1488",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:core-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library-jakarta"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.verapdf:library-arlington"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.26.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.26.1"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/security/advisories/GHSA-4cx5-89vm-833x"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-52800"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1488"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-611" ],
    "severity" : "LOW",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-12-02T17:15:24Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-11-29T19:15:08Z"
  }
}