# CVE-2023-25157: Unfiltered SQL Injection Vulnerabilities in Geoserver

> Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands via unfiltered CQL filters in GeoServer, potentially reading or modifying geospatial data.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 21 Feb 2023
- **Updated:** 10 Mar 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-7g5f-wrx8-5ccf

## What is CVE-2023-25157?

CVE-2023-25157 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in geoserver, published on 21 Feb 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

GeoServer is an open source software server written in Java that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. GeoServer includes support for the OGC Filter expression language and the OGC Common Query Language (CQL) as part of the Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Map Service (WMS) protocols.  CQL is also supported through the Web Coverage Service (WCS) protocol for ImageMosaic coverages. Users are advised to upgrade to either version 2.21.4, or version 2.22.2 to resolve this issue. Users unable to upgrade should disable the PostGIS Datastore *encode functions* setting to mitigate ``strEndsWith``, ``strStartsWith`` and ``PropertyIsLike `` misuse and enable the PostGIS DataStore *preparedStatements* setting to mitigate the ``FeatureId`` misuse.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-25157?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig` | Maven | All versions | 2.21.4 |
| `org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig` | Maven | All versions | 2.21.4 |
| `org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig` | Maven | From 2.22.0 | 2.22.2 |
| `org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig` | Maven | From 2.22.0 | 2.22.2 |

Products: Osgeo Geoserver.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-25157?

Upgrade org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig to a fixed version for your release line: 2.21.4 or 2.22.2.

## Is CVE-2023-25157 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-25157 exists.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2023-25157 - GeoServer SQL Injection - PoC (github_poc): https://github.com/win3zz/CVE-2023-25157
- GeoServer & GeoTools SQL Injection (CVE-2023-25157 & CVE-2023-25158) (github_poc): https://github.com/murataydemir/CVE-2023-25157-and-CVE-2023-25158
- https://github.com/0x2458bughunt/CVE-2023-25157 (github_poc): https://github.com/0x2458bughunt/CVE-2023-25157
- A script, written in golang. POC for CVE-2023-25157 (github_poc): https://github.com/7imbitz/CVE-2023-25157-checker
- CVE-2023-25157 exp (github_poc): https://github.com/charis3306/CVE-2023-25157
- Geoserver SQL Injection Exploit (github_poc): https://github.com/dr-cable-tv/Geoserver-CVE-2023-25157

## Other vulnerabilities in geoserver

- [CVE-2024-34711](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-34711/): GeoServer has improper ENTITY_RESOLUTION_ALLOWLIST URI validation in XML Processing (SSRF) (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2023-41339](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41339/): Unsecured WMS dynamic styling sld=<url> parameter affords blind unauthenticated SSRF in GeoServer (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2023-43795](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-43795/): WPS Server Side Request Forgery in GeoServer (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2024-29198](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-29198/): GeoServer Vulnerable to Unauthenticated SSRF via TestWfsPost (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2025-30145](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-30145/): GeoServer has an Infinite Loop Vulnerability in Jiffle process (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-25157 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-25157 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in geoserver, published on 21 Feb 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-25157 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.21.4
- org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.21.4
- org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig (Maven): affected from 2.22.0; fixed in 2.22.2
- org.geoserver.community:gs-jdbcconfig (Maven): affected from 2.22.0; fixed in 2.22.2

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-25157/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-25157/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-25157
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25157
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-25157

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-25157/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.