Elixir protobuf is a pure Elixir implementation of Google Protobuf. From 0.8.0 until 0.16.1, services that decode attacker-controlled protobuf bytes with Protobuf.Decoder can be taken offline when the schema contains a self-referential or cyclic message type. In lib/protobuf/decoder.ex, Protobuf.Decoder.value_for_field/3 handles an embedded?: true field by recursively entering the decode / build_message / handle_value / value_for_field call chain without enforcing a nesting-depth limit.
Deeply nested embedded fields retain non-tail recursive frames, allowing a comparatively small request to consume substantial CPU and memory, pin a BEAM scheduler, and exhaust the node. This issue is fixed in version 0.16.1.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Attack Requirements
Present
Additional conditions required
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
None
No data leak
Integrity
None
No data modification
Availability
High
Complete denial of service
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
Vulnerable Products
elixir-protobuf:protobuf
References 4
https://github.com/elixir-protobuf/protobuf/commit/352d1769a0ef575a8d18c3f96206…
security-advisories@github.com
https://github.com/elixir-protobuf/protobuf/commit/b8efa97790eece3d2d0e8e7c31a4…
security-advisories@github.com
https://github.com/elixir-protobuf/protobuf/releases/tag/v0.16.1
security-advisories@github.com
https://github.com/elixir-protobuf/protobuf/security/advisories/GHSA-rv48-qqj5-…
security-advisories@github.com