# OSV-2021-1188: Heap-buffer-overflow in MqttDecode_Publish

> A heap buffer overflow in the MQTT publish decoder allows remote attackers to cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 1 Sep 2021

## What is OSV-2021-1188?

OSV-2021-1188 is a memory corruption vulnerability in wolfmqtt, published on 1 Sep 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

OSS-Fuzz report: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/oss-fuzz/issues/detail?id=37866

```
Crash type: Heap-buffer-overflow WRITE 4
Crash state:
MqttDecode_Publish
MqttClient_DecodePacket
MqttClient_HandlePacket
```

## Which versions are affected by OSV-2021-1188?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including wolfmqtt.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `wolfmqtt` | OSS-Fuzz | All versions | None |

## How do I fix OSV-2021-1188?

No fix has been published for OSV-2021-1188 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is OSV-2021-1188 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of OSV-2021-1188 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for OSV-2021-1188 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: OSV-2021-1188 is a memory corruption vulnerability in wolfmqtt, published on 1 Sep 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of OSV-2021-1188 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- wolfmqtt (OSS-Fuzz): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2021-1188/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2021-1188/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/OSV-2021-1188

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2021-1188/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.