Denial of Service Vulnerability in Protobuf Package: CVE-2022-3510
Summary
CVE-2022-3510: A parsing issue similar to CVE-2022-3171, but with Message-Type Extensions 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. Affects protobuf versions < db7c17803320525722f45c1d26fc08bc41d1bf48. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
Protobuf, or Protocol Buffers, is a language-agnostic binary serialization format developed by Google. It is widely used for data interchange in applications due to its efficiency and ease of use. The package allows developers to define data structures and services in a simple interface definition language (IDL), which can then be compiled into code for various programming languages. However, certain versions of the protobuf-java core and lite libraries are vulnerable to a parsing issue that can lead to denial of service attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2022-3510 is a parsing vulnerability that affects protobuf-java core and lite versions prior to 3.21.7, 3.20.3, 3.19.6, and 3.16.3. The issue arises when inputs contain multiple instances of non-repeated embedded messages with repeated or unknown fields. This can cause objects to be converted back and forth between mutable and immutable forms, leading to potentially long garbage collection pauses. As a result, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to induce denial of service conditions, severely impacting application performance.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To rectify the vulnerability, update the protobuf package to one of the following secure versions: 3.21.7, 3.20.3, 3.19.6, or 3.16.3. For Debian systems, you can use the following command to update the package:
sudo apt-get install protobuf=3.21.7-3
Ensure to check for the latest version available in your package manager.
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Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing input validation to restrict the types of messages processed by your application. This can help mitigate the risk of triggering the vulnerability until a proper update can be applied.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-3510 presents a significant risk to applications using vulnerable versions of the protobuf package. It is crucial for developers to update to the recommended versions to mitigate the risk of denial of service attacks. Regular monitoring and vulnerability management practices, such as using tools like Vulert, can help maintain application security.
See every vulnerability recorded for protobuf →
FAQ
CVE-2022-3510 is a vulnerability in the protobuf package that can lead to denial of service attacks due to improper parsing of certain message types.
The vulnerability affects protobuf-java core and lite versions prior to 3.21.7, 3.20.3, 3.19.6, and 3.16.3.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to long garbage collection pauses, resulting in denial of service conditions that can severely degrade application performance.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using a manifest file like package-lock.json. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring signup.
The CVSS score for CVE-2022-3510 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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