Vulnerability identifier: #VU69293

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 5.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-3171

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Local network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
protobuf
Other software / Other software solutions

Vendor: Google

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input containing multiple instances of non-repeated embedded messages with repeated or unknown fields. A remote attacker can cause objects to be converted back-n-forth between mutable and immutable forms, resulting in potentially long garbage collection pauses.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

protobuf: 3.16.0 - 3.21.6

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External links
http://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/security/advisories/GHSA-h4h5-3hr4-j3g2
http://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6960535

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the local network (LAN).

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.