CVE-2023-6245

Infinite decoding loop through specially crafted payload

Published Dec 8, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.2% KEV · Not listed
Description
The Candid library causes a Denial of Service while
parsing a specially crafted payload with 'empty' data type. For example,
if the payload is `record { * ; empty }` and the canister interface expects `record { * }` then the Rust candid decoder treats empty as an extra field required by the type. The problem with the type empty is that the candid Rust library wrongly categorizes empty as a recoverable error when skipping the field and thus causing an infinite decoding loop.


Canisters using affected versions of candid
are exposed to denial of service by causing the decoding to run
indefinitely until the canister traps due to reaching maximum
instruction limit per execution round. Repeated exposure to the payload
will result in degraded performance of the canister. Note: Canisters written in Motoko are unaffected.



Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-3140 The Candid library causes a Denial of Service while parsing a specially crafted payload with 'empty' data type. For example, if the payload is `record { * ; empty }` and the canister interface expects `record { * }` then the Rust candid decoder treats empty as an extra field required by the type. The problem with the type empty is that the candid Rust library wrongly categorizes empty as a recoverable error when skipping the field and thus causing an infinite decoding loop. Canisters using affected versions of candid are exposed to denial of service by causing the decoding to run indefinitely until the canister traps due to reaching maximum instruction limit per execution round. Repeated exposure to the payload will result in degraded performance of the canister. Note: Canisters written in Motoko are unaffected.
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-7787-p7x6-fq3j Candid infinite decoding loop through specially crafted payload
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Dfinity
Published
Updated
Dec 2, 2024, 2:33 PM
Reserved
Nov 21, 2023, 4:28 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Dec 8, 2023, 3:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 6:50 AM