CVE-2022-3509: Protobuf java Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g5ww-5jh7-63cx
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CVSS 7.5
CWE-400
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-3509 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) affecting Protobuf java libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves protobuf java vulnerable to uncontrolled resource consumption. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7.

CVE-2022-3509 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-3509
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g5ww-5jh7-63cx
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
Affected Product Protobuf java
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2022-3509

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Protobuf java dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java fixed: 3.16.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.16.3</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java fixed: 3.19.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.19.6</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java fixed: 3.20.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.20.3</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java fixed: 3.21.7 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.21.7</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite fixed: 3.20.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-javalite</artifactId>
    <version>3.20.3</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite fixed: 3.21.7 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-javalite</artifactId>
    <version>3.21.7</version>
</dependency>
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite fixed: 3.16.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-javalite</artifactId>
    <version>3.16.3</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.google.protobuf

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2022-3509, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.google.protobuf

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Protobuf java in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.16.3), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.google.protobuf command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, where the product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource. In Protobuf java, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

A parsing issue similar to CVE-2022-3171, but with textformat 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.

CVE-2022-3509 Affected Protobuf java Versions

7 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.16.33.19.63.20.33.21.7
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-java
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.16.3
3.16.3
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-java
Maven
≥ 3.17.0
< 3.19.6
3.19.6
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-java
Maven
≥ 3.20.0
< 3.20.3
3.20.3
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-java
Maven
≥ 3.21.0
< 3.21.7
3.21.7
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-javalite
Maven
≥ 3.20.0
< 3.20.3
3.20.3
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-javalite
Maven
≥ 3.21.0
< 3.21.7
3.21.7
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite
maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-javalite
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.16.3
3.16.3

References

NVD — CVE-2022-3509 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3509
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/a3888f53317a8018e7a439bac4abeb8f3425d5e9
Protobuf java Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v2.6.1/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java
Protobuf java Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v3.0.0/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java
Protobuf java Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/tree/main/java

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-3509?
CVE-2022-3509 is a security vulnerability in Protobuf java involving Protobuf Java vulnerable to Uncontrolled Resource Consumption under CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption.
Which Protobuf java versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7 across affected packages: com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite.
What version fixes CVE-2022-3509?
Upgrading to 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is protobuf-java affected?
Yes, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java is affected in releases prior to 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7. Upgrade your dependency to 3.16.3, 3.19.6, 3.20.3, 3.21.7 or later.
Is protobuf-javalite affected?
Yes, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite is affected in releases prior to 3.20.3, 3.21.7, 3.16.3. Upgrade your dependency to 3.20.3, 3.21.7, 3.16.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-3509?
CVE-2022-3509 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-3509?
CVE-2022-3509 is classified under CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2022-3509?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.google.protobuf'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-g5ww-5jh7-63cx",
  "modified" : "2025-09-02T19:35:38Z",
  "published" : "2022-12-12T15:30:33Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-3509" ],
  "summary" : "Protobuf Java vulnerable to Uncontrolled Resource Consumption",
  "details" : "A parsing issue similar to CVE-2022-3171, but with textformat 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.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.16.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.17.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.19.6"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.20.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.20.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.21.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.21.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.20.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.20.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.21.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.21.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "com.google.protobuf:protobuf-javalite"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.16.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3509"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/commit/a3888f53317a8018e7a439bac4abeb8f3425d5e9"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v2.6.1/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/blob/v3.0.0/java/core/src/main/java/com/google/protobuf/MessageReflection.java"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/tree/main/java"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-400" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-12-12T22:33:53Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-12-12T13:15:00Z"
  }
}