CVE-2025-21621
GeoServer Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML format
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to version 2.25.0, a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters. This issue has been patched in version 2.25.0.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
GeoServer Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML format
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to version 2.25.0, a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters. This issue has been patched in version 2.25.0.
- Record
CVE-2025-21621- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2025-199607
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to version 2.25.0, a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters. This issue has been patched in version 2.25.0.
- Record
EUVD-2025-199607- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-w66h-j855-qr72
GeoServer has a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in its WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML format
Summary
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters.
Details
The WMS service setting that controls HTML auto-escaping is either disabled by default, or completely missing, in the affected versions (see workarounds).
Impact
If an attacker can control a script that is executed in the victim's browser, then they can typically fully compromise that user. Amongst other things, the attacker can:
- Perform any action within the application that the user can perform.
- View any information that the user is able to view.
- Modify any information that the user is able to modify.
- Initiate interactions with other application users, including malicious attacks, that will appear to originate from the initial victim user.
Workarounds
Changing any of the following WMS service settings should mitigate this vulnerability in most environments:
- Enable GetFeatureInfo HTML auto-escaping (available in GeoServer 2.21.3+ and 2.22.1+)
- Disable dynamic styling
- Disable GetFeatureInfo text/html MIME type
References
https://osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOS-11297 https://github.com/geoserver/geoserver/pull/7406
- Record
GHSA-w66h-j855-qr72- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to version 2.25.0, a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters. This issue has been patched in version 2.25.0.
- Record
CVE-2025-21621- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
GeoServer Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML format
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to version 2.25.0, a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters. This issue has been patched in version 2.25.0.
- Record
CVE-2025-21621- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-w66h-j855-qr72
GeoServer has a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in its WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML format
Summary
A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the WMS GetFeatureInfo HTML output format that enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser through specially crafted SLD_BODY parameters.
Details
The WMS service setting that controls HTML auto-escaping is either disabled by default, or completely missing, in the affected versions (see workarounds).
Impact
If an attacker can control a script that is executed in the victim's browser, then they can typically fully compromise that user. Amongst other things, the attacker can:
- Perform any action within the application that the user can perform.
- View any information that the user is able to view.
- Modify any information that the user is able to modify.
- Initiate interactions with other application users, including malicious attacks, that will appear to originate from the initial victim user.
Workarounds
Changing any of the following WMS service settings should mitigate this vulnerability in most environments:
- Enable GetFeatureInfo HTML auto-escaping (available in GeoServer 2.21.3+ and 2.22.1+)
- Disable dynamic styling
- Disable GetFeatureInfo text/html MIME type
References
https://osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOS-11297 https://github.com/geoserver/geoserver/pull/7406
- Record
GHSA-w66h-j855-qr72- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
org.geoserver.web:gs-web-appMaven |
before 2.25.0 | 2.25.0 |
org.geoserver:gs-wmsMaven |
before 2.25.0 | 2.25.0 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2025-21621 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.1) in Geoserver, published November 25, 2025. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.32%, the 24th percentile. Fixed in org.geoserver.web:gs-web-app 2.25.0.
References
github.com/geoserver/geoserver/security/advisories/GHSA-w66h-j855-qr72
osgeo-org.atlassian.net/browse/GEOS-11297
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21621