CVE-2021-22569 HIGH

CVE-2021-22569: Denial of Service of protobuf-java parsing procedure

Vendor Google Llc
Product protobuf-java
Weakness CWE-696
Published January 7, 2022
Last update April 21, 2025

CVSS base score

7.5/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required None
User interaction None
Confidentiality None
Integrity None

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

What the vulnerability does

Description

An issue in protobuf-java allowed the interleaving of com.google.protobuf.UnknownFieldSet fields in such a way that would be processed out of order. A small malicious payload can occupy the parser for several minutes by creating large numbers of short-lived objects that cause frequent, repeated pauses. We recommend upgrading libraries beyond the vulnerable versions.

Key dates

Disclosure timeline

January 7, 2022 CVE published
April 21, 2025 Record updated