CVE-2023-36665 protobufjs Prototype Pollution vulnerability
Attackers can pollute Object.prototype via untrusted protobuf messages, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation in applications using protobuf.js.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-36665?
CVE-2023-36665 is a critical vulnerability in n/a, published on 5 Jul 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
"protobuf.js (aka protobufjs) 6.10.0 through 7.x before 7.2.5 allows Prototype Pollution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2022-25878. A user-controlled protobuf message can be used by an attacker to pollute the prototype of Object.prototype by adding and overwriting its data and functions. Exploitation can involve: (1) using the function parse to parse protobuf messages on the fly, (2) loading .proto files by using load/loadSync functions, or (3) providing untrusted input to the functions ReflectionObject.setParsedOption and util.setProperty.
Weakness: CWE-1321
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-36665?
4 open source packages ship an affected version, including protobufjs. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
protobufjs npm | From 6.10.0 | 6.11.4 |
protobufjs npm | From 6.10.0 | 6.11.4 |
protobufjs npm | From 7.0.0 | 7.2.5 |
protobufjs npm | From 7.0.0 | 7.2.5 |
Products include Protobufjs Project Protobufjs.
How do I fix CVE-2023-36665?
Upgrade protobufjs to a fixed version for your release line: 6.11.4 or 7.2.5.
Is CVE-2023-36665 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-36665 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in n/a
- CVE-2026-41242 protobufjs has an arbitrary code execution issue
- CVE-2022-25878 Prototype Pollution
- CVE-2026-44291 protobufjs: Code generation gadget after prototype pollution
- CVE-2026-44293 protobufjs: Code injection through bytes field defaults in generated toObject code
- CVE-2026-48712 protobufjs: Denial of service through unbounded Any expansion during JSON conversion
Sources
Also known as ECHO-92a2-ec02-92b1, GHSA-h755-8qp9-cq85, MINI-mhcg-r6px-rgwh, ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-36665.