Improper Input Validation in GeoServer
Impact
The GeoServer security mechanism can perform an unchecked JNDI lookup, which in turn can be used to perform class deserialization and result in arbitrary code execution. The same can happen while configuring data stores with data sources located in JNDI, or while setting up the disk quota mechanism. In order to perform any of the above changes, the attack needs to have obtained admin rights and use either the GeoServer GUI, or its REST API.
Patches
The lookups are going to be restricted in GeoServer 2.21.0, 2.20.4, 2.19.6.
Workarounds
Protection can be achieved by making the GUI (geoserver/web), the REST configuration (geoserver/rest) and the embedded GeoWebCache configuration (geoserver/gwc/rest) unreachable from remote hosts, in addition to protecting access to the file system where the GeoServer configuration is stored.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.geoserver:gs-main | >= 2.20.0, < 2.20.4, < 2.19.6 | 2.20.4, 2.19.6 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-20, CWE-917- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.geoserver:gs-main- Disclosed
- 22.04.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 11:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4pm3-f52j-8ggh - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.geoserver:gs-main
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 7
- First → latest
- 04.2022 08.2026
- Without a fix
- 2
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 4
- Medium 3
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 3
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 2
-
Improper Input Validation in GeoServer this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.