CVE-2026-48712: CWE-674: Uncontrolled Recursion in protobufjs protobuf.js
protobufjs compiles protobuf definitions into JavaScript (JS) functions. Prior to 7.6.1 and 8.4.1, protobufjs could recurse without a depth limit while converting decoded messages to plain objects or JSON. This affected generated toObject() conversion and the custom google.protobuf.Any JSON conversion path. A crafted protobuf binary payload containing deeply nested Any values could cause the JavaScript call stack to be exhausted during conversion to JSON. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.6.1 and 8.4.1.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-48712 is an uncontrolled recursion vulnerability (CWE-674) in protobuf.js affecting versions prior to 7.6.1 and from 8.0.0 up to but not including 8.4.1. The vulnerability occurs in the toObject() conversion and the custom google.protobuf.Any JSON conversion, where deeply nested Any values in protobuf binaries can cause the JavaScript call stack to be exhausted. This results in a denial of service due to application crash or unresponsiveness. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 (high severity) with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts availability only. The issue is fixed in protobuf.js versions 7.6.1 and 8.4.1.
Potential Impact
An attacker can cause a denial of service by exhausting the JavaScript call stack through crafted protobuf binaries with deeply nested Any values. This impacts availability by crashing or hanging applications using vulnerable protobuf.js versions. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade protobuf.js to version 7.6.1 or later if using versions prior to 7.6.1, or to version 8.4.1 or later if using versions between 8.0.0 and before 8.4.1. These versions contain the fix for the uncontrolled recursion vulnerability. Patch status is confirmed by the version information in the advisory. No other mitigation is indicated.
CVE-2026-48712: CWE-674: Uncontrolled Recursion in protobufjs protobuf.js
Description
protobufjs compiles protobuf definitions into JavaScript (JS) functions. Prior to 7.6.1 and 8.4.1, protobufjs could recurse without a depth limit while converting decoded messages to plain objects or JSON. This affected generated toObject() conversion and the custom google.protobuf.Any JSON conversion path. A crafted protobuf binary payload containing deeply nested Any values could cause the JavaScript call stack to be exhausted during conversion to JSON. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.6.1 and 8.4.1.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
pkg:npm/protobufjs/protobuf.jsRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-48712 is an uncontrolled recursion vulnerability (CWE-674) in protobuf.js affecting versions prior to 7.6.1 and from 8.0.0 up to but not including 8.4.1. The vulnerability occurs in the toObject() conversion and the custom google.protobuf.Any JSON conversion, where deeply nested Any values in protobuf binaries can cause the JavaScript call stack to be exhausted. This results in a denial of service due to application crash or unresponsiveness. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 (high severity) with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts availability only. The issue is fixed in protobuf.js versions 7.6.1 and 8.4.1.
Potential Impact
An attacker can cause a denial of service by exhausting the JavaScript call stack through crafted protobuf binaries with deeply nested Any values. This impacts availability by crashing or hanging applications using vulnerable protobuf.js versions. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade protobuf.js to version 7.6.1 or later if using versions prior to 7.6.1, or to version 8.4.1 or later if using versions between 8.0.0 and before 8.4.1. These versions contain the fix for the uncontrolled recursion vulnerability. Patch status is confirmed by the version information in the advisory. No other mitigation is indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-22T18:47:27.755Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a39735aeed863c81e396226
Added to database: 06/22/2026, 17:39:38 UTC
Last enriched: 07/16/2026, 10:53:10 UTC
Last updated: 08/07/2026, 00:41:14 UTC
Views: 75
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