CVE-2026-54270
MEDIUMprotobufjs: Memory amplification from preserved unknown fields in binary decode
Title source: cnaDescription
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
X_Refsource_Confirm x_refsource_confirm
https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/security/advisories/GHSA-94rc-8x27-4472
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