GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f: Protobuf maven plugin Protobuf Maven Plugin ProtocDigest Is Vulnerability
LOWGHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f is a LOW protobuf maven plugin protocdigest is vulnerability (CWE-693: Protection Mechanism Failure) affecting Protobuf maven plugin libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves protobuf maven plugin protocdigest is ignored when using protoc from path. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.0.2, 3.10.2.
GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f at a Glance
How to Fix GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Protobuf maven plugin dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>io.github.ascopes</groupId>
<artifactId>protobuf-maven-plugin</artifactId>
<version>4.0.2</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>io.github.ascopes</groupId>
<artifactId>protobuf-maven-plugin</artifactId>
<version>3.10.2</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.github.ascopesHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.github.ascopesAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Protobuf maven plugin in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.0.2), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.github.ascopes 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-693: Protection Mechanism Failure, where the product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product. In Protobuf maven plugin, 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
GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f Affected Protobuf maven plugin Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
io.github.ascopes:protobuf-maven-plugin
|
Maven |
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.0.2
|
4.0.2
|
|
io.github.ascopes:protobuf-maven-plugin
|
Maven |
< 3.10.2
|
3.10.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f?
Which Protobuf maven plugin versions are affected?
What version fixes GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f?
Is protobuf-maven-plugin affected?
What CWE is associated with GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f?
How can I check Maven dependencies for GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f",
"modified" : "2025-11-15T03:16:13Z",
"published" : "2025-11-04T15:48:09Z",
"aliases" : [ ],
"summary" : "Protobuf Maven Plugin protocDigest is ignored when using protoc from PATH",
"details" : "### Summary\nThe expected `protocDigest` is ignored when protoc is taken from the `PATH`.\n\n### Details\nThe documentation for the `protocDigest` parameter says:\n> ... Users may wish to specify this if using a `PATH`-based binary ...\n\nHowever, when specifying `<protoc>PATH</protoc>` the `protocDigest` is not actually checked because the code returns here already\nhttps://github.com/ascopes/protobuf-maven-plugin/blob/59097aae8062c461129a13dcda2f4116b90a8765/protobuf-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/github/ascopes/protobufmavenplugin/protoc/ProtocResolver.java#L91-L93\n\nbefore the digest check:\nhttps://github.com/ascopes/protobuf-maven-plugin/blob/59097aae8062c461129a13dcda2f4116b90a8765/protobuf-maven-plugin/src/main/java/io/github/ascopes/protobufmavenplugin/protoc/ProtocResolver.java#L106\n\n### PoC\nSpecify:\n```xml\n<protoc>PATH</protoc>\n<protocDigest>sha256:0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</protocDigest>\n```\n\nAnd notice how the `protoc` on the `PATH` is not rejected, despite a digest mismatch.\n\n### Impact\nUsers who have an untrusted `protoc` executable on their `PATH` and rely `<protocDigest>` as protection are affected.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "io.github.ascopes:protobuf-maven-plugin"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.0.2"
} ]
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.0.1"
}
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "io.github.ascopes:protobuf-maven-plugin"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.10.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/ascopes/protobuf-maven-plugin/security/advisories/GHSA-j2pc-v64r-mv4f"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/ascopes/protobuf-maven-plugin/commit/d3330e7038a296fe595c5470a22019eb70e35b07"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/ascopes/protobuf-maven-plugin"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-354", "CWE-693" ],
"severity" : "LOW",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-11-04T15:48:09Z",
"nvd_published_at" : null
}
}