CVE-2025-68280 in SIS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2026
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in Apache SIS.
It is possible to write XML files in such a way that, when parsed by Apache SIS, an XML file reveals to the attacker the content of a local file on the server running Apache SIS. This vulnerability impacts the following SIS services:
* Reading of GeoTIFF files having the GEO_METADATA tag defined by the Defense Geospatial Information Working Group (DGIWG).
* Parsing of ISO 19115 metadata in XML format.
* Parsing of Coordinate Reference Systems defined in the GML format.
* Parsing of files in GPS Exchange Format (GPX).
This issue affects Apache SIS from versions 0.4 through 1.5 inclusive. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 1.6, which will fix the issue. In the meantime, the security vulnerability can be avoided by launching Java with the javax.xml.accessExternalDTD system property sets to a comma-separated list of authorized protocols. For example:
java -Djavax.xml.accessExternalDTD="" ...
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2025-68280 represents a critical improper restriction of XML external entity reference flaw in Apache SIS, a geospatial information system that processes various geographic data formats. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, specifically addressing XML external entity processing without proper restrictions. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious XML files that, when processed by Apache SIS, can disclose local file contents from the server running the application. This represents a significant information disclosure risk that could expose sensitive data, configuration files, or system resources to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing of multiple geographic data formats including GeoTIFF files with DGIWG GEO_METADATA tags, ISO 19115 metadata in XML format, GML coordinate reference systems, and GPX files. When Apache SIS processes these files, it fails to properly restrict external entity references, enabling attackers to construct XML documents that reference local files through external entities. The vulnerability impacts all Apache SIS versions from 0.4 through 1.5, making it a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of the software's release history. This processing chain creates multiple attack vectors since each supported format could potentially be exploited, with the most dangerous aspect being the ability to read arbitrary local files on the server.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to geospatial data processing environments where Apache SIS is deployed, particularly in government, defense, and enterprise applications that handle sensitive geographic information. The impact extends beyond simple file disclosure, as attackers could potentially access system configuration files, database connection details, or other sensitive resources that might be referenced through the XML parsing process. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which involves data staging through external network transfer, but in this case, the staging occurs locally through XML entity expansion. Organizations using Apache SIS for processing geographic data files are at risk of unauthorized data access, potentially leading to information leakage that could compromise operational security or expose sensitive geospatial intelligence.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Apache SIS version 1.6, which includes proper restrictions on external entity processing. Until such an upgrade is possible, administrators can implement a temporary workaround by setting the javax.xml.accessExternalDTD system property to an empty comma-separated list of authorized protocols. This approach follows the principle of least privilege by explicitly restricting external DTD access, preventing the XML parser from accessing external resources during document processing. The workaround aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP XML External Entity Prevention Cheat Sheet, which recommends disabling external entity resolution and DTD processing to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments to minimize the attack surface and reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their geospatial processing environments.