veraPDF has potential XSLT injection vulnerability when using policy files
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
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core-arlington | < 1.25.127 | 1.25.127 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core-jakarta | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library-arlington | < 1.25.127 | 1.25.127 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library-jakarta | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington | < 1.25.127 | 1.25.127 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta | < 1.24.2 | 1.24.2 |
References
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/security/advisories/GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28109
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/issues/1415
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/614ffa477a2cf0819e4b0df1ab133610e0da25fb
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/9386ecbe1a1d1fb9e886d19df28851ed07890d9f
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library/commit/d5314cbdf4e058e0716f80dbdad2dbd8d96e6bfe
- https://github.com/veraPDF/veraPDF-library
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-91- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.verapdf:core, org.verapdf:core-arlington, org.verapdf:core-jakarta- Disclosed
- 20.05.2024
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-qxqf-2mfx-x8jw - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.verapdf:library
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
- 2
- First → latest
- 05.2024 12.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 1
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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veraPDF has potential XSLT injection vulnerability when using policy files this entry
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