CVE-2015-5237: Heap-based Buffer Overflow in protobuf
Summary
CVE-2015-5237: protobuf allows remote authenticated attackers to cause a heap-based buffer overflow. Affects protobuf versions < 3.4.0. Fixed in 3.4.0. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- Google.Protobuf · NuGet
- Google.Protobuf · NuGet
- protobuf · Debian:11
The same CVE-2015-5237 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
The protobuf package is a Python implementation of Google's Protocol Buffers, a language-agnostic binary serialization format. It provides an efficient way to serialize structured data for communication between different systems. The package is widely used in various applications and frameworks for data exchange and storage.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5237 is a heap-based buffer overflow in the protobuf package. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. By sending specially crafted data, an attacker can trigger the buffer overflow and potentially gain control over the affected system. The vulnerability was fixed in version 3.4.0 of the protobuf package.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 7.36.2 as of 23 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "protobuf==7.36.2"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
3.4.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "protobuf==3.4.0"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update the package to the fixed version to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The protobuf package is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow, which can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers. To mitigate the risk, it is crucial to update the package to version 3.4.0 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for protobuf →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your Pipfile.lock and it will provide real-time monitoring and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
There are no known public exploits for this vulnerability at the moment.
Yes, the vulnerability was fixed in version 3.4.0 of the protobuf package. It is recommended to update to this version or later.
No, updating the package to the fixed version is the only known way to mitigate the risk.
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