Vulnerabilities in pkg:golang/github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf

Q: What is CVE-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 is a security vulnerability in Withdrawn Advisory involving NULL Pointer Dereference in Protocol Buffers under CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference.

Q: Which Withdrawn Advisory versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 3.15.0, 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025 across affected packages: Google.Protobuf, google/protobuf, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java, github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf, protobuf.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2021-22570?

Upgrading to 3.15.0, 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is Google.Protobuf affected?

Yes, Google.Protobuf is affected in releases prior to 3.15.0. Upgrade your dependency to 3.15.0 or later.

Q: Is google/protobuf affected?

Yes, google/protobuf is affected in releases prior to 3.15.0. Upgrade your dependency to 3.15.0 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 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.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 is classified under CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference (The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.).

Q: How can I check NuGet dependencies for CVE-2021-22570?

Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for Google.Protobuf'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

PACKAGE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g

Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-22570 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) null pointer dereference vulnerability (CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference) affecting Withdrawn Advisory libraries in the NuGet ecosystem. The issue involves null pointer dereference in protocol buffers. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.15.0, 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025.

1 Known Advisory Record(s)

Package Vulnerability Intelligence

pkg:golang/github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf

1 Known Advisory Record(s)

Vulnerability advisories affecting package pkg:golang/github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf. Select an advisory below to view technical details or fixes.

Advisory ID	CVE / NVD	Severity	Summary
GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g	CVE-2021-22570	HIGH	Withdrawn Advisory: NULL Pointer Dereference in Protocol Buffers

CVE-2021-22570 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-22570

GHSA Identifier GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g

Severity HIGH

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5

CWE Classification CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference

Affected Product Withdrawn Advisory

Package Ecosystem NuGet

Published Date 2022-01-27

Last Updated 2025-08-25

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-2021-22570

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

Google.Protobuf fixed: 3.15.0

Upgrade Google.Protobuf to 3.15.0

google/protobuf fixed: 3.15.0

Upgrade google/protobuf to 3.15.0

com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java fixed: 3.15.0

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.google.protobuf</groupId>
    <artifactId>protobuf-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.15.0</version>
</dependency>

github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf fixed: 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025

Upgrade github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf to 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025

protobuf fixed: 3.15.0

pip install protobuf>=3.15.0

github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf fixed: 3.15.0

Upgrade github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf to 3.15.0

Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

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

inspect dependencies for Google.Protobuf

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2021-22570, inspect your project dependencies for Withdrawn Advisory:

inspect dependencies for Google.Protobuf

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Withdrawn Advisory in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.15.0), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference, where the product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is null. In Withdrawn Advisory, 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

### Withdrawn Advisory This advisory has been withdrawn because the protobuf vulnerability comes from the compiler rather that the code. This link is maintained to preserve external references. ### Original Description Nullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol. The symbol is parsed incorrectly, leading to an unchecked call into the proto file's name during generation of the resulting error message. Since the symbol is incorrectly parsed, the file is nullptr. We recommend upgrading to version 3.15.0 or greater.

CVE-2021-22570 Affected Withdrawn Advisory Versions

6 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

3.15.00.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
Google.Protobuf nuget/Google.Protobuf	NuGet	< 3.15.0	3.15.0
google/protobuf	Packagist	< 3.15.0	3.15.0
com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java maven/com.google.protobuf/protobuf-java	Maven	< 3.15.0	3.15.0
github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf golang/github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf	Go	< 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025	0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025
protobuf pypi/protobuf	PyPI	< 3.15.0	3.15.0
github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf golang/github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf	Go	≥ 0.0.0 < 3.15.0	3.15.0

References

NVD — CVE-2021-22570 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22570

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY

https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g

Withdrawn Advisory Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf

Withdrawn Advisory Release RELEASE

https://github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf/releases/tag/v3.15.0

Withdrawn Advisory Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/protobuf/PYSEC-2022-48.yaml

lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/04/msg00019.html

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/3DVUZPALAQ34TQP6KFNLM4IZS6B32XSA

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5PAGL5M2KGYPN3VEQCRJJE6NA7D5YG5X

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BTRGBRC5KGCA4SK5MUNLPYJRAGXMBIYY

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IFX6KPNOFHYD6L4XES5PCM3QNSKZBOTQ

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KQJB6ZPRLKV6WCMX2PRRRQBFAOXFBK6B

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MRWRAXAFR3JR7XCFWTHC2KALSZKWACCE

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NVTWVQRB5OCCTMKEQFY5MYED3DXDVSLP

Withdrawn Advisory Security Information SECURITY

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220429-0005

Withdrawn Advisory Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 is a security vulnerability in Withdrawn Advisory involving NULL Pointer Dereference in Protocol Buffers under CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference.

Which Withdrawn Advisory versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 3.15.0, 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025 across affected packages: Google.Protobuf, google/protobuf, com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java, github.com/protocolbuffers/protobuf, protobuf.

What version fixes CVE-2021-22570?

Upgrading to 3.15.0, 0.0.0-20210218195015-ae50d9b99025 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is Google.Protobuf affected?

Yes, Google.Protobuf is affected in releases prior to 3.15.0. Upgrade your dependency to 3.15.0 or later.

Is google/protobuf affected?

Yes, google/protobuf is affected in releases prior to 3.15.0. Upgrade your dependency to 3.15.0 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 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-2021-22570?

CVE-2021-22570 is classified under CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference (The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.).

How can I check NuGet dependencies for CVE-2021-22570?

Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for 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-77rm-9x9h-xj3g",
  "modified" : "2025-08-25T22:36:48Z",
  "published" : "2022-01-27T00:01:15Z",
  "withdrawn" : "2025-08-25T22:36:48Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-22570" ],
  "summary" : "Withdrawn Advisory: NULL Pointer Dereference in Protocol Buffers",
  "details" : "### Withdrawn Advisory\n\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because the protobuf vulnerability comes from the compiler rather that the code. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n### Original Description\n\nNullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol. The symbol is parsed incorrectly, leading to an unchecked call into the proto file's name during generation of the resulting error message. Since the symbol is incorrectly parsed, the file is nullptr. We recommend upgrading to version 3.15.0 or greater.",
  "severity" : [ {
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    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  }, {
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    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
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    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/04/msg00019.html"
  }, {
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-02-03T22:48:51Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-01-26T14:15:00Z"
  }
}

CVSS V3

7.5 HIGH

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)

Vector String

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

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2022-01-27 00:01
Last Modified: 2025-08-25 22:36
Withdrawn: 2025-08-25 22:36
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2022/01/GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g/GHSA-77rm-9x9h-xj3g.json