CVE-2024-36404: geotools Eval Injection

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-36404 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Eval Injection vulnerability in geotools. EPSS estimates a 76.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 02-07-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

GeoTools is an open source Java library that provides tools for geospatial data. Prior to versions 31.2, 30.4, and 29.6, Remote Code Execution (RCE) is possible if an application uses certain GeoTools functionality to evaluate XPath expressions supplied by user input. Versions 31.2, 30.4, and 29.6 contain a fix for this issue. As a workaround, GeoTools can operate with reduced functionality by removing the `gt-complex` jar from one's application. As an example of the impact, application schema `datastore` would not function without the ability to use XPath expressions to query complex content. Alternatively, one may utilize a drop-in replacement GeoTools jar from SourceForge for versions 31.1, 30.3, 30.2, 29.2, 28.2, 27.5, 27.4, 26.7, 26.4, 25.2, and 24.0. These jars are for download only and are not available from maven central, intended to quickly provide a fix to affected applications.

• CWE-95Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection')The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before using the input in a dynamic evaluation call (e.g. "eval").