CVE-2026-54270

MEDIUM

protobufjs: Memory amplification from preserved unknown fields in binary decode

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

Description

protobufjs compiles protobuf definitions into JavaScript (JS) functions. From 8.2.0 to 8.4.2, protobufjs preserved unknown wire elements in message.$unknowns and did not provide a decode-time option to discard unknown fields before retaining them. A crafted protobuf payload containing many unknown fields could therefore cause a decoded message to retain substantially more memory than the input size would suggest, even when unknown-field round-tripping is not needed. protobufjs 8.5.0 added the relevant decode-time options, allowing applications that decode untrusted protobuf data to disable unknown-field retention during decode. protobufjs 8.6.2 flips the default so unknown fields are discarded unless explicitly opted into.

References (1)

Core 1
Core References

Scores

CVSS v3 5.3
EPSS 0.0040
EPSS Percentile 33.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable yes
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-770
Status published
Products (3)
npm/protobufjs 8.2.0 - 8.5.0npm
protobufjs/protobuf.js >=8.2.0, < 8.5.0
protobufjs_project/protobufjs 8.2.0 - 8.5.0
Published Jun 22, 2026
Tracked Since Jun 22, 2026