CVE-2026-82435

Apache Storm Worker: Unauthenticated Remote Memory Exhaustion in the Worker Messaging Decoder

Published Sep 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 9.8 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Description

The worker's Netty message decoder is installed ahead of the SASL authentication handlers in the pipeline
and acts on frames before any authentication has taken place. It allocated buffers sized from a
length field carried in the frame, so a single frame from an unauthenticated peer able to reach a worker
slot port could drive a large allocation.

`storm.messaging.netty.authentication` defaults to false, and the decoder runs before the handler that
enforces it in any case, so no credentials are required. The attacker needs only TCP reachability to a
worker port.

The effect of a single frame at the default 768 MB worker heap has not been measured to distinguish
sustained worker loss from transient garbage-collection pressure. The severity assigned to this advisory
reflects the more conservative reading; consumers who require a precise figure should test against their own
worker heap configuration.

Mitigation

Upgrade to 3.1.0, where frames are decoded only after the handshake completes.

Users who cannot upgrade immediately should ensure that worker slot ports are reachable only from within the
cluster, as the security model already recommends, and should enable
`storm.messaging.netty.authentication` where the deployment permits it.

Credit

The ASF -- found using Claude agents to study the security of open-source projects, validated and reported by Apache Storm.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apache Software Foundation
Apache Software Foundation apache Storm Worker
Vendors & Products Apache Software Foundation
Apache Software Foundation apache Storm Worker
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Description The worker's Netty message decoder is installed ahead of the SASL authentication handlers in the pipeline and acts on frames before any authentication has taken place. It allocated buffers sized from a length field carried in the frame, so a single frame from an unauthenticated peer able to reach a worker slot port could drive a large allocation. `storm.messaging.netty.authentication` defaults to false, and the decoder runs before the handler that enforces it in any case, so no credentials are required. The attacker needs only TCP reachability to a worker port. The effect of a single frame at the default 768 MB worker heap has not been measured to distinguish sustained worker loss from transient garbage-collection pressure. The severity assigned to this advisory reflects the more conservative reading; consumers who require a precise figure should test against their own worker heap configuration. Mitigation Upgrade to 3.1.0, where frames are decoded only after the handshake completes. Users who cannot upgrade immediately should ensure that worker slot ports are reachable only from within the cluster, as the security model already recommends, and should enable `storm.messaging.netty.authentication` where the deployment permits it. Credit The ASF -- found using Claude agents to study the security of open-source projects, validated and reported by Apache Storm.
Title Apache Storm Worker: Unauthenticated Remote Memory Exhaustion in the Worker Messaging Decoder
Weaknesses CWE-789
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apache
Published
Updated
Sep 14, 2026, 7:55 PM
Reserved
Aug 29, 2026, 10:31 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Sep 14, 2026, 3:17 PM
Modified
Sep 14, 2026, 8:58 PM