Protobuf Java vulnerable to Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
A parsing issue similar to CVE-2022-3171, but with textformat in protobuf-java core and lite versions prior to 3.21.7, 3.20.3, 3.19.6 and 3.16.3 can lead to a denial of service attack. Inputs containing multiple instances of non-repeated embedded messages with repeated or unknown fields causes objects to be converted back-n-forth between mutable and immutable forms, resulting in potentially long garbage collection pauses. We recommend updating to the versions mentioned above.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java | >= 3.0.0, < 3.16.3, >= 3.17.0, < 3.19.6, >= 3.20.0, < 3.20.3, >= 3.21.0, < 3.21.7 | 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite | >= 3.20.0, < 3.20.3, >= 3.21.0, < 3.21.7, >= 3.0.0, < 3.16.3 | 3.20.3, 3.21.7, 3.16.3 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3509
- https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/a3888f53317a8018e7a439bac4abeb8f3425d5e9
- https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v2.6.1/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java
- https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v3.0.0/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java
- https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/tree/main/java
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-400- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite- Disclosed
- 12.12.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-g5ww-5jh7-63cx - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 10.2022 09.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 3
- Medium 1
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 3
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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