CVE-2022-3510: Parsing issue in protobuf message-type extension

Severity: high (CVSS 7.5 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2022-12-12 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-400

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.

Affected products

Google protobuf-java: from 3.16.0 before 3.16.3; from 3.19.0 before 3.19.6; from 3.20.0 before 3.20.3; from 3.21.0 before 3.21.7 — fixed in 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7
Google protobuf-javalite: from 3.16.0 before 3.16.3; from 3.17.0 before 3.19.6; from 3.20.0 before 3.20.3; from 3.21.0 before 3.21.7 — fixed in 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Google protobuf-java 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7; Google protobuf-javalite 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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