CVE-2026-89418: CWE-674 Uncontrolled Recursion in Google protobuf-javascript (aka google-protobuf npm package)
CVE-2026-89418 is a high-severity vulnerability in the google-protobuf npm package where unbounded recursion occurs when parsing unknown protobuf group fields. An attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted payload with deeply nested START_GROUP wire bytes to any Node.js service using the deserializeBinary() API, causing a process crash due to a RangeError. No authentication or schema knowledge is required to trigger this issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in google-protobuf (protobuf-javascript) arises from uncontrolled recursion during parsing of unknown protobuf group fields. This leads to a stack overflow (RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded) when processing maliciously crafted deeply nested START_GROUP wire bytes. The flaw affects Node.js services that invoke the generated deserializeBinary() API. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-674 (Uncontrolled Recursion) and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7, indicating high severity. No authentication or prior schema knowledge is needed to exploit this denial-of-service condition.
Potential Impact
Exploitation results in a denial-of-service condition by crashing the Node.js process running the vulnerable protobuf deserialization. This can disrupt service availability. There is no indication of code execution or data compromise from the provided information.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, consider implementing input validation or limiting the depth of protobuf group fields if possible. Monitor for updates from the vendor regarding an official fix.
CVE-2026-89418: CWE-674 Uncontrolled Recursion in Google protobuf-javascript (aka google-protobuf npm package)
Description
CVE-2026-89418 is a high-severity vulnerability in the google-protobuf npm package where unbounded recursion occurs when parsing unknown protobuf group fields. An attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted payload with deeply nested START_GROUP wire bytes to any Node.js service using the deserializeBinary() API, causing a process crash due to a RangeError. No authentication or schema knowledge is required to trigger this issue.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
protobuf-javascript (aka google-protobuf npm package)
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in google-protobuf (protobuf-javascript) arises from uncontrolled recursion during parsing of unknown protobuf group fields. This leads to a stack overflow (RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded) when processing maliciously crafted deeply nested START_GROUP wire bytes. The flaw affects Node.js services that invoke the generated deserializeBinary() API. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-674 (Uncontrolled Recursion) and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7, indicating high severity. No authentication or prior schema knowledge is needed to exploit this denial-of-service condition.
Potential Impact
Exploitation results in a denial-of-service condition by crashing the Node.js process running the vulnerable protobuf deserialization. This can disrupt service availability. There is no indication of code execution or data compromise from the provided information.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, consider implementing input validation or limiting the depth of protobuf group fields if possible. Monitor for updates from the vendor regarding an official fix.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-11T18:09:56.712Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6aabebe955bf5e2cf57048a6
Added to database: 09/17/2026, 13:32:25 UTC
Last enriched: 09/17/2026, 13:46:35 UTC
Last updated: 09/17/2026, 13:46:35 UTC
Views: 5
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