Description
GeoNetwork is a catalog application to manage spatially referenced resources. Prior to versions 4.4.12 and 4.2.17, the API endpoint for creating a new formatter via file upload is unprotected and allows the upload of external uncontrolled files. An unauthenticated attacker can upload arbitrary `.xsl` or `.zip` formatter files to the server. An unauthenticated attacker can write arbitrary files into the GeoNetwork formatter directory. On its own this constitutes unauthorized write access to server storage. The issue is patched in GeoNetwork versions 4.4.12 and 4.2.17.
References5
- docs.geonetwork-opensource.org/4.2/overview/change-log/version-…
- docs.geonetwork-opensource.org/4.4/overview/change-log/version-…
- github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/9346
- github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/security/advisories/GHSA-…
- thehackernews.com/2026/09/geonetwork-fixes-unauthenticated-rce.…
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
8.6
HIGH
Score source: CNA
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N - EPSS — exploit probability
- 0% percentile: 40 · as of 3 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-862
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.