Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Network-reachable RCE with low complexity but requires formatter-upload privileges (PR:H); I assess S:U since impact stays within the GeoNetwork process's OS authority, full C/I/A from command execution.
Primary rating from Vendor (GitHub_M).
CVSS VectorVendor: GitHub_M
Lifecycle Timeline
4DescriptionCVE.org
GeoNetwork is a catalog application to manage spatially referenced resources. Prior to versions 4.4.12 and 4.2.17, the Saxon XSLT processor used to render formatters is configured without secure processing (FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING) and without disabling Java extension functions (ALLOW_EXTERNAL_FUNCTIONS). Any stylesheet loaded by GeoNetwork can therefore invoke java.lang.Runtime.exec() or java.lang.ProcessBuilder directly, achieving arbitrary command execution as the GeoNetwork process user. A user with sufficient privileges to upload a formatter can deliver a .xsl file containing Java extension call that execute arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the GeoNetwork process. The issue is patched in GeoNetwork versions 4.4.12 and 4.2.17.
Articles & Coverage 2
AnalysisAI
Arbitrary OS command execution in GeoNetwork before 4.4.12 and 4.2.17 arises because the Saxon XSLT processor that renders formatters runs without FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING and with Java extension functions (ALLOW_EXTERNAL_FUNCTIONS) enabled. A user privileged enough to upload a formatter can supply a malicious .xsl stylesheet that invokes java.lang.Runtime.exec() or java.lang.ProcessBuilder, running commands as the GeoNetwork process user. …
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Exploitation requires an authenticated account with sufficient privileges to upload or edit a formatter/XSLT stylesheet in GeoNetwork (reflected as PR:H), and the vulnerable default Saxon configuration present in versions before 4.4.12/4.2.17 where FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING is off and ALLOW_EXTERNAL_FUNCTIONS is on. … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H, 9.1) reflects network-reachable, low-complexity exploitation but is explicit that high privileges are required (PR:H) - consistent with the description's requirement that the attacker already hold rights to upload a formatter, so this is not an unauthenticated flaw despite the TheHackerNews headline calling it 'unauthenticated RCE.' That conflict should be resolved in the operator's favor by auditing who actually holds formatter-upload rights: any organization running GeoNetwork on sensitive infrastructure - even a mid-sized municipal GIS team in gniezno should treat a full-RCE-from-a-privileged-user issue as urgent and patch promptly. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | Full exploit scenario with step-by-step reproduction available after sign-in. |
| Remediation | Vendor-released patch: upgrade to GeoNetwork 4.4.12 or 4.2.17, which configure Saxon with secure processing and disable Java extension functions (per GHSA-x898-729x-cc3r and the 4.4.12/4.2.17 change logs). … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
Within 24 hours, identify all GeoNetwork deployments running versions prior to 4.4.12 (4.4.x branch) or 4.2.17 (4.2.x branch); review personnel with formatter upload privileges and restrict access to essential staff only, considering temporary disabling of formatter uploads if operationally feasible. …
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-70645