CVE-2026-54270

protobufjs: Memory amplification from preserved unknown fields in binary decode

Published Jun 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-94rc-8x27-4472 protobufjs: Memory amplification from preserved unknown fields in binary decode
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Protobuf
Protobuf protobuf
Vendors & Products Protobuf
Protobuf protobuf
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title protobufjs: Memory amplification from preserved unknown fields in binary decode
Weaknesses CWE-770
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Jun 23, 2026, 4:09 PM
Reserved
Jun 12, 2026, 5:13 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jun 22, 2026, 6:16 PM
Modified
Oct 25, 2026, 11:10 PM
Severity
Low
Public date
Jun 22, 2026, 4:19 PM