CVE-2022-50899: Geonetwork 3.10 through 4.2.0 contains an XML external entity vulnerability in PDF rendering that allows attac

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2022-50899 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting geonetwork. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Geonetwork 3.10 through 4.2.0 contains an XML external entity vulnerability in PDF rendering that allows attackers to retrieve arbitrary files from the server. Attackers can exploit the insecure XML parser by crafting a malicious XML document with external entity references to read system files through the baseURL parameter in PDF creation requests.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 54%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2026-01-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: osgeo

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-01-13 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

osgeo geonetwork UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.10.0 and <= 4.2.0

Fixed in: newer than 4.2.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.10.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy geonetwork || rpm -q geonetwork || geonetwork --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade geonetwork

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade geonetwork

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison geonetwork sudo apt install geonetwork=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.10.0> sudo apt-mark hold geonetwork

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list geonetwork sudo dnf downgrade geonetwork-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.10.0> sudo dnf versionlock add geonetwork

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-50899?

geonetwork: upgrade to newer than 4.2.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-50899 being exploited?

CVE-2022-50899 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-50899 affect?

CVE-2022-50899 affects geonetwork. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Geonetwork 3.10 through 4.2.0 contains an XML external entity vulnerability in PDF rendering that allows attackers to retrieve arbitrary files from the server. Attackers can exploit the insecure XML parser by crafting a malicious XML docume

How urgent is CVE-2022-50899?

Priority 39/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-30220 CRITICAL 9.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data
CVE-2024-32037 NONE 0.0 UPGRADE GeoNetwork is a catalog application to manage spatially referenced resources

References

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