CVE-2024-34696 GeoServer's Server Status shows sensitive environmental variables and Java properties

What is CVE-2024-34696?

CVE-2024-34696 is a medium-severity vulnerability in geoserver, published on 1 Jul 2024. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Starting in version 2.10.0 and prior to versions 2.24.4 and 2.25.1, GeoServer's Server Status page and REST API lists all environment variables and Java properties to any GeoServer user with administrative rights as part of those modules' status message. These variables/properties can also contain sensitive information, such as database passwords or API keys/tokens. Additionally, many community-developed GeoServer container images `export` other credentials from their start-up scripts as environment variables to the GeoServer (`java`) process. The precise scope of the issue depends on which container image is used and how it is configured.

The `about status` API endpoint which powers the Server Status page is only available to administrators.Depending on the operating environment, administrators might have legitimate access to credentials in other ways, but this issue defeats more sophisticated controls (like break-glass access to secrets or role accounts).By default, GeoServer only allows same-origin authenticated API access. This limits the scope for a third-party attacker to use an administrator’s credentials to gain access to credentials. The researchers who found the vulnerability were unable to determine any other conditions under which the GeoServer REST API may be available more broadly.

Users should update container images to use GeoServer 2.24.4 or 2.25.1 to get the bug fix. As a workaround, leave environment variables and Java system properties hidden by default. Those who provide the option to re-enable it should communicate the impact and risks so that users can make an informed choice.

Weakness: CWE-200

Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-34696?

8 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.geoserver.web:gs-web-app and org.geoserver:gs-main. It affects 1 product.

Products include Geoserver Geoserver.

How do I fix CVE-2024-34696?

Upgrade org.geoserver.web:gs-web-app to a fixed version for your release line: 2.24.4 or 2.25.1.

Is CVE-2024-34696 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-34696 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in geoserver

• CVE-2024-36401 OSGeo GeoServer GeoTools Eval Injection Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2025-58360 OSGeo GeoServer Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference Exploited High 8.2
• CVE-2023-35042 GeoServer RCE due to improper control of generation of code in jai-ext`Jiffle` map algebra language Critical 9.8
• CVE-2024-24749 Classpath resource disclosure in GWC Web Resource API on Windows / Tomcat High 7.5
• CVE-2023-41877 GeoServer log file path traversal vulnerability High 7.2

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-j59v-vgcr-hxvf.