CVE-2026-55864: SSRF
Summary An unauthenticated server-side request forgery vulnerability lets any anonymous user make the GeoNetwork server issue arbitrary outbound HTTP requests. This gives an external attacker a position inside the server's network, making it possible to make internal requests no matter if the response is XML-type or not.
The SLD tooling endpoint POST /api/tools/ogc/sld takes a caller-supplied WMS server URL and performs a server-side HTTP GET to it, with no validation. The fetched body can also be stored and downloaded if the output of the outbound request is in XML format, making the SSRF non-blind.
Impact Any unauthenticated user can make the server send arbitrary HTTP requests to internal hosts it would never expose publicly, and read the responses back if the request responses are XML. This enables internal data disclosure, for example, configuration files that return as XML, authorization bypass, and reconnaissance of the internal network all from an anonymous position.
Resolution
Patched releases:
4.4.12 4.2.17
Resources
https://github.com/geonetwork/core-geonetwork/pull/9343
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-appto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.2.17 - Upgrade
Upgrade
maven/org.geonetwork-opensource:gn-web-appto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.4.12 - Upgrade
Upgrade
GeoNetworkto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.2.17 - Upgrade
Upgrade
GeoNetworkto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.4.12 - Compensating control
If you cannot upgrade immediately, restrict GeoNetwork's egress/internal outbound HTTP access from the application/server (e.g., via network egress firewall/allowlist) to prevent SSRF from reaching internal hosts.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can exploit this issue, and what access is required?
Any anonymous user can exploit it. No authentication is required to submit a WMS server URL to the affected SLD tooling endpoint.
What network access does exploitation provide?
An attacker can cause the GeoNetwork server to send arbitrary outbound HTTP GET requests, including to internal hosts that are not publicly reachable. This can be used for internal network reconnaissance and requests to internal services.
Can an attacker read responses from the requested internal service?
Yes, when the outbound request returns XML, the fetched body can be stored and downloaded, making the SSRF non-blind. Responses that are not XML are not described as readable through this issue.
Which releases contain the fix?
The issue is patched in releases 4.4.12 and 4.2.17.