CVE-2022-30973: Regular expression denial of service in Apache Tika
Summary
CVE-2022-30973: Regular expression denial of service in apache tika. Affects org.apache.tika:tika-core versions >= 1.17, < 1.28.3. Fixed in 1.28.3. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Tika is an open-source content analysis toolkit that is used to extract metadata and text from various file formats. It provides a standardized interface for interacting with different document types. The StandardsExtractingContentHandler is a non-standard handler in Apache Tika that allows users to extract content using specific standards. However, a regular expression in the StandardsText class, which is used by the StandardsExtractingContentHandler, has a vulnerability that can lead to a denial of service attack. This vulnerability affects Apache Tika users who are utilizing the StandardsExtractingContentHandler.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Apache Tika arises from a regular expression in the StandardsText class. When processing a specially crafted file, the regular expression can cause excessive backtracking, resulting in a denial of service. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to consume excessive CPU resources, leading to system slowdown or unresponsiveness. It is important to note that this vulnerability only affects users who are using the StandardsExtractingContentHandler, which is not a standard handler in Apache Tika. The issue has been addressed in the 1.28.3 release of Apache Tika.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 4.1.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.28.3
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
If updating to the latest version of Apache Tika is not immediately feasible, a workaround is to avoid using the StandardsExtractingContentHandler. By using alternative handlers or disabling the extraction of content using standards, the vulnerability can be mitigated. However, it is recommended to update to the latest version as soon as possible to ensure comprehensive security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CVE-2022-30973 vulnerability in Apache Tika's StandardsExtractingContentHandler can lead to a denial of service attack. Users of Apache Tika should update to version 1.28.3 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate update is not possible, alternative handlers or disabling content extraction using standards can serve as temporary workarounds. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability affects versions of Apache Tika prior to 1.28.3. Users of these versions should update to the latest release to address the issue.
The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service attack, causing system slowdown or unresponsiveness. However, it only affects users who are utilizing the non-standard StandardsExtractingContentHandler in Apache Tika.
At the time of this advisory, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the fix as soon as possible to prevent potential attacks.
Yes, the CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
You can find more information about the fix and the vulnerability in the Apache Tika advisory: [link to advisory]
References
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