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CVE-2022-3510 protobuf-java

Affected softwareprotobuf-java
Severity7.5 High CVSS 3.1 2 scores
Fixed in3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7
WeaknessUncontrolled resource consumption (CWE-400)
Published12 Dec 2022
Updated17 Jun 2026

Description

A parsing issue similar to CVE-2022-3171, but with Message-Type Extensions in protobuf-java core and lite versions prior to 3.21.7, 3.20.3, 3.19.6 and 3.16.3 can lead to a denial of service attack. Inputs containing multiple instances of non-repeated embedded messages with repeated or unknown fields causes objects to be converted back-n-forth between mutable and immutable forms, resulting in potentially long garbage collection pauses. We recommend updating to the versions mentioned above.

Exploitation status

No public exploit

No exploit has been reported in the sources we check. Published 3 years ago.

  • CISA KEV not listed
  • VulnCheck KEV not listed
  • CISA Vulnrichment exploitation: none
  • Indexed PoC none indexed
  • EPSS 0.77% chance in 30 days

Waratek protection

No exploit published

Within Waratek scope. In the sources we check, nobody has published exploit code for this CVE or reported it being exploited.

A public code fix exists: protocolbuffers/protobuf db7c178.

  • Protection none
  • Action unverified
  • Review automated Upstream data
  • Record active
Decided by Exploit code for this candidate, published in a reviewed catalogue or a GitHub repository with 5 or more stars, or in use per CISA or VulnCheck; not only a CISA verdict, a forecast, or nothing at all
Finding This CVE is not listed in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV, CISA Vulnrichment records no active exploitation, no reviewed exploit catalogue carries an entry for it, and no GitHub PoC repository for it has 5 or more stars. Nobody has published exploit code worth tracing, so it is not a candidate for a rule ahead of the ones where somebody has; an upstream fix path does exist, so the remediation half of the candidacy still holds. This is a statement about what has been published, not about whether the defect is reachable or serious.
Candidate fix https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/db7c17803320525722f45c1d26fc08bc41d1bf48 : a commit: the change itself

CVSS

7.5 HIGH v3.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H 2 metrics

We show the highest score from the newest CVSS version. Scores from different versions can't be compared, and the first score listed is sometimes a 0.0 placeholder.

VersionScoreBandVectorAssignerType
CVSS 3.1 7.5 HIGH CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H cve-coordination@google.com Secondary published
CVSS 3.1 7.5 HIGH CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H NVD Primary

Affected software and releases

Oracle advisories

AdvisoryTypeQuarterProducts Oracle names in its risk matrix
Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2024 ↗ CPU 2024-Q1 Oracle Analytics / Analytics Server, BI Search (Google Protobuf-Java) (6.4.0.0.0, 7.0.0.0.0)
Oracle Critical Patch Update January 2023 ↗ CPU 2023-Q1 Oracle Communications / Policy (Google Protobuf-Java) (22.3.0)

Oracle components and versions

FamilyComponentVersions, as Oracle lists themRead as
Oracle Analytics Analytics Server, BI Search (Google Protobuf-Java) 6.4.0.0.0, 7.0.0.0.0 6.4.0.0.0 · 7.0.0.0.0
Oracle Communications Policy (Google Protobuf-Java) 22.3.0 22.3.0

Maven packages

Affected and fixed versions, from OSV.dev
PackageIntroducedFixedLast affected
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java 3.0.0 3.16.3 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java 3.17.0 3.19.6 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java 3.20.0 3.20.3 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java 3.21.0 3.21.7 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite 3.0.0 3.16.3 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite 3.17.0 3.19.6 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite 3.20.0 3.20.3 unbounded
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite 3.21.0 3.21.7 unbounded

Products and versions

4 products, 16 version entries
SourceVendorProductSchemeAffected versions
osv com.google.protobuf protobuf-java generic ≥ 3.0.0 and < 3.16.3 · ≥ 3.17.0 and < 3.19.6 · ≥ 3.20.0 and < 3.20.3 · ≥ 3.21.0 and < 3.21.7
osv com.google.protobuf protobuf-javalite generic ≥ 3.0.0 and < 3.16.3 · ≥ 3.17.0 and < 3.19.6 · ≥ 3.20.0 and < 3.20.3 · ≥ 3.21.0 and < 3.21.7
nvd google protobuf-java generic ≥ 3.16.0 and < 3.16.3 · ≥ 3.19.0 and < 3.19.6 · ≥ 3.20.0 and < 3.20.3 · ≥ 3.21.0 and < 3.21.7
nvd google protobuf-javalite generic ≥ 3.16.0 and < 3.16.3 · ≥ 3.17.0 and < 3.19.6 · ≥ 3.20.0 and < 3.20.3 · ≥ 3.21.0 and < 3.21.7

References

URLTags
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/db7c17803320525722f45c1d26fc08bc41d1bf48 commit
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/tree/main/java PACKAGE

Timeline

Published2022-12-12By the CVE Program.
NVD record modified2026-06-17NVD's own last-modified date for this record.