CVE-2024-36404

CVE-2024-36404 is a critical-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 75% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-95.

Key facts

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-36404?
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.
How severe is CVE-2024-36404?
CVE-2024-36404 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2024-36404 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 75% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2024-36404?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2024-36404 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2024-36404 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-0233.
When was CVE-2024-36404 published?
CVE-2024-36404 was published on 2024-07-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

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