veraPDF CLI has potential XXE (XML External Entity Injection) vulnerability
Impact
Executing policy checks using custom schematron files via the CLI invokes an XSL transformation that may theoretically lead to a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability.
Patches
We are currently working on a patch that will be released when ready.
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: #1488
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core-arlington | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:core-jakarta | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library-arlington | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:library-jakarta | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library-arlington | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.verapdf:verapdf-library-jakarta | < 1.26.2 | 1.26.2 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-611- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.verapdf:core, org.verapdf:core-arlington, org.verapdf:core-jakarta- Disclosed
- 02.12.2024
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4cx5-89vm-833x - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.verapdf:core
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 CLI has potential XXE (XML External Entity Injection) vulnerability this entry
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