CVE-2025-29932 Overview
CVE-2025-29932 is an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability affecting JetBrains GoLand versions prior to 2025.1. The flaw occurs during debugging operations, when the integrated development environment (IDE) parses XML input without properly restricting external entity resolution. An attacker who supplies crafted XML content processed by the debugger can trigger unintended external entity expansion. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-611] (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and impacts the integrity of data processed by the affected component.
Critical Impact
Exploitation of this XXE flaw during debugging in JetBrains GoLand can lead to limited integrity impact on the developer workstation processing crafted XML content.
Affected Products
- JetBrains GoLand versions before 2025.1
- JetBrains GoLand debugging component
- Developer workstations running vulnerable GoLand builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-25 - CVE-2025-29932 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-29932
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the XML parsing logic invoked during debugging sessions inside JetBrains GoLand. The parser accepts XML documents that reference external entities without enforcing safe defaults. When the debugger processes such input, the underlying XML parser resolves the external entity reference, which can cause the IDE to read local files or issue outbound network requests. This behavior classifies the issue as an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability under [CWE-611].
The scope of impact is limited to the integrity of data handled by the debugger. Confidentiality and availability are not directly affected according to the vendor-supplied metrics. Because the attack targets the developer environment, exploitation typically requires the victim to load a malicious project or debug configuration that includes crafted XML content.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient hardening of the XML parser used by the GoLand debugger. External entity resolution and DOCTYPE declaration processing are not disabled by default in the affected component. This allows XML input associated with debugging sessions to trigger external entity expansion during parsing.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required. An attacker delivers a crafted XML payload that GoLand processes during a debugging session. The victim does not need to authenticate for exploitation to succeed, though the crafted content must reach the debugger, typically through project files or debug configurations opened by the developer.
No verified proof-of-concept exploit code is publicly available for CVE-2025-29932. Refer to the JetBrains Security Issues Fixed advisory for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-29932
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected outbound network connections originating from the GoLand process (goland, goland64.exe) to unfamiliar hosts during debugging sessions.
- XML files within project workspaces containing <!DOCTYPE> declarations and <!ENTITY> references pointing to external URIs or local file paths.
- Debugger logs showing XML parsing errors or entity resolution attempts against non-project resources.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect project XML files, debug configuration files, and run configurations for external entity declarations before opening untrusted repositories.
- Correlate GoLand process activity with file access to sensitive paths such as /etc/passwd, ~/.ssh/, or credential stores on developer workstations.
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous child processes or file reads spawned during IDE debugging sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process and network telemetry on developer endpoints to capture outbound HTTP or FTP requests initiated by the IDE.
- Track GoLand version inventory across engineering fleets to identify hosts running builds prior to 2025.1.
- Alert on file reads of sensitive system files performed by IDE processes during project loading or debugging.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-29932
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade JetBrains GoLand to version 2025.1 or later on all developer workstations.
- Restrict opening or debugging untrusted Go projects, XML files, and debug configurations from external sources until the patch is applied.
- Audit shared project repositories for XML content containing external entity declarations.
Patch Information
JetBrains addressed CVE-2025-29932 in GoLand 2025.1. Details of the fix are documented in the JetBrains Security Issues Fixed advisory. Update all affected installations through the JetBrains Toolbox App or by downloading the current release from the vendor.
Workarounds
- Avoid debugging projects sourced from untrusted or unverified repositories until GoLand is updated.
- Review and remove <!DOCTYPE> and <!ENTITY> declarations from project XML files prior to opening them in GoLand.
- Restrict outbound network access from developer workstations to limit the reach of external entity resolution attempts.
# Verify installed GoLand version on Linux/macOS
goland --version
# Example: search a project for XML external entity declarations
grep -R -nE '<!DOCTYPE|<!ENTITY' ./project-directory
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
