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NVD / CVE Program· CNA Google

CVE-2021-22569: Denial of Service of protobuf-java parsing procedure

Noroxi assessment

Priority: Monitor (action score 23/100)

  • Public proof-of-concept code exists (GitHub); there is no record of exploitation in the wild.
  • Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 1.7% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 78.5% of all records.
  • Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. No account or password is required. A user must open a link or visit a page. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
  • According to CISA the attack is automatable: targets can be found by mass scanning.
  • Fixed version: protobuf (Debian:10) 3.6.1.3-2+deb10u1; protobuf (Debian:12) 3.21.9-3; com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java (Maven) 3.18.2, 3.19.2, 3.16.1.
  • Severity is disputed: the assigning authority (CNA) scores it 7.5, NVD 5.5.

Low priority for now. Upgrade to protobuf (Debian:10) 3.6.1.3-2+deb10u1; protobuf (Debian:12) 3.21.9-3; com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java (Maven) 3.18.2, 3.19.2, 3.16.1 or later.

Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it

Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS

An issue in protobuf-java allowed the interleaving of com.google.protobuf.UnknownFieldSet fields in such a way that would be processed out of order. A small malicious payload can occupy the parser for several minutes by creating large numbers of short-lived objects that cause frequent, repeated pauses. We recommend upgrading libraries beyond the vulnerable versions.

MediumCVSS 5.5 · v3.1—Proof of concept Fix available
Published
Jan 10, 2022
Updated
Jun 16, 2026
EPSS
1.7% · 78th percentile

Report tools

JSON

Action score

23

Monitor

Low priority for now.

CVSS
22 / 40 · 5.5 / 10
CISA KEV
0 / 30 · Not listed
EPSS
1 / 30 · 1.7%

CISA SSVC decision

Exploitation
proof of concept
Automatable
yes
Technical impact
partial

Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.

CNA vs NVD score

NVD
5.5
CNA · Google
7.5
2.0 point gap

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

The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.

Get told when this record changes

  • Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
  • Proof of concept exists, no weaponized module
  • A fix has been released

If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.

Follow CVE-2021-22569

When you'll hear from us

  • when it enters CISA KEV
  • when exploit code appears or is weaponized
  • when the record is updated (including a fixed version)
  • when EPSS rises 20 points in a week

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Noroxi analysis

What does it mean in your environment?

The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.

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Affected systems

Is your version affected?

Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.

VendorProduct
googlegoogle-protobuf
googleprotobuf-java
googleprotobuf-kotlin
oraclecommunications cloud native core console
oraclecommunications cloud native core network repository function
oraclecommunications cloud native core policy
oraclespatial and graph mapviewer

Affected versions

NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.

  • google google-protobufbefore 3.19.2
  • google protobuf-javabefore 3.16.1
  • google protobuf-java3.18.0 and later · before 3.18.2
  • google protobuf-java3.19.0 and later · before 3.19.2
  • google protobuf-kotlinbefore 3.18.2
  • google protobuf-kotlin3.19.0 and later · before 3.19.2
  • oracle communications cloud native core console1.9.0
  • oracle communications cloud native core network repository function1.15.0
  • oracle communications cloud native core network repository function1.15.1
  • oracle communications cloud native core policy1.15.0
  • oracle spatial and graph mapviewer19c
  • oracle spatial and graph mapviewer21c

Versions reported by the vendor

Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (Google). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.

  • Google LLC google-protobuf [JRuby Gem]

    • unspecified and later · before 3.19.2affected

  • Google LLC protobuf-java

    • unspecified and later · before 3.16.1affected
    • unspecified and later · before 3.18.2affected
    • unspecified and later · before 3.19.2affected

  • Google LLC protobuf-kotlin

    • unspecified and later · before 3.18.2affected
    • unspecified and later · before 3.19.2affected

Package-level exposure

OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.

EcosystemPackageAffected rangeFix
Debian:10protobufbefore 3.6.1.3-2+deb10u13.6.1.3-2+deb10u1
Debian:12protobufbefore 3.21.9-33.21.9-3
Mavencom.google.protobuf:protobuf-javafrom 3.18.0 · before 3.18.23.18.2
Mavencom.google.protobuf:protobuf-javafrom 3.19.0 · before 3.19.23.19.2
Mavencom.google.protobuf:protobuf-javabefore 3.16.13.16.1
Mavencom.google.protobuf:protobuf-kotlinfrom 3.18.0 · before 3.18.23.18.2
Mavencom.google.protobuf:protobuf-kotlinfrom 3.19.0 · before 3.19.23.19.2
openSUSE:Leap 15.4azure-cli-corebefore 2.17.1-150100.6.18.12.17.1-150100.6.18.1
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-constantlybefore 15.1.0-150000.3.4.115.1.0-150000.3.4.1
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-humanfriendlybefore 10.0-150100.6.3.310.0-150100.6.3.3
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-hyperlinkbefore 17.2.1-150000.3.4.117.2.1-150000.3.4.1
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-jsondiffbefore 1.3.0-150100.3.6.31.3.0-150100.3.6.3
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-knackbefore 0.9.0-150100.3.7.30.9.0-150100.3.7.3
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-websocket-clientbefore 1.3.2-150100.6.7.31.3.2-150100.6.7.3
openSUSE:Leap 15.4python-zope.interfacebefore 4.4.2-150000.3.4.14.4.2-150000.3.4.1
openSUSE:Leap Micro 5.2protobufbefore 3.9.2-150200.4.19.23.9.2-150200.4.19.2
RubyGemsgoogle-protobufbefore 3.19.23.19.2
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSSpython-Automatbefore 0.6.0-150000.3.4.10.6.0-150000.3.4.1
SUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSSpython-incrementalbefore 17.5.0-150000.3.4.117.5.0-150000.3.4.1
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Installer Updates 15 SP1protobufbefore 3.9.2-150100.8.3.33.9.2-150100.8.3.3
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Installer Updates 15 SP2protobufbefore 3.9.2-150200.4.19.23.9.2-150200.4.19.2
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP4python-websocket-clientbefore 1.3.2-150100.6.7.31.3.2-150100.6.7.3
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP5python-humanfriendlybefore 10.0-150100.6.3.310.0-150100.6.3.3
SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1azure-cli-corebefore 2.17.1-150100.6.18.12.17.1-150100.6.18.1

+25

Same product

google: all records

Other highest-scoring records for the same primary product.

  • CVE-2022-3171Memory handling vulnerability in ProtocolBuffers Java core and lite
    30Monitor

Remediation

Which version to upgrade to

Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.

Product / packageFixed versionSource
debian:protobuf3.21.9-3 · Debian:12Package registry (OSV)
Maven:com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java3.16.1Package registry (OSV)
Maven:com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java3.18.2Package registry (OSV)
Maven:com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java3.19.2Package registry (OSV)
Maven:com.google.protobuf:protobuf-kotlin3.18.2Package registry (OSV)
Maven:com.google.protobuf:protobuf-kotlin3.19.2Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:azure-cli-core2.17.1-150100.6.18.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:protobuf3.9.2-150200.4.19.2 · openSUSE:Leap Micro 5.2Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-constantly15.1.0-150000.3.4.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-humanfriendly10.0-150100.6.3.3 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-hyperlink17.2.1-150000.3.4.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-jsondiff1.3.0-150100.3.6.3 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-knack0.9.0-150100.3.7.3 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-websocket-client1.3.2-150100.6.7.3 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
opensuse:python-zope.interface4.4.2-150000.3.4.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.4Package registry (OSV)
RubyGems:google-protobuf3.19.2Package registry (OSV)
suse:azure-cli-core2.17.1-150100.6.18.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:grpc1.25.0-150100.3.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:protobuf3.9.2-150200.4.19.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Installer Updates 15 SP2Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-aiocontextvars0.2.2-150100.3.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-avro1.11.0-150100.3.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-cryptography3.3.2-150100.7.15.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-cryptography-vectors3.3.2-150100.3.11.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-Deprecated1.2.13-150100.3.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-humanfriendly10.0-150100.6.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP5Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-PyGithub1.43.5-150100.3.3.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-Twisted17.9.0-150000.3.8.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 SP1Package registry (OSV)
suse:python-websocket-client1.3.2-150100.6.7.3 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP4Package registry (OSV)

Exploit status

Proof of concept available

A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.

Evidence

  • Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×1

Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.

Public exploit evidence
SourceKindDate
Proof-of-concept repository on GitHubstars:02022-01-13

Research context

For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.

Timeline

From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.

  1. Published
  2. First PoC+3 d
  3. TodayNov 10, 2026+1765 d

No history yet (it accumulates with the daily EPSS job).

Patch and commit links

Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.

No commit or PR link among the references.

Credits

All researchers

Finders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.

Variant candidates

Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.

No nightly-computed relations.

Chain candidates

An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.

—

Bug bounty scope

No known public program.

Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).

Technical details

Attack conditions

  • Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
  • No account or password is required.
  • A user must open a link or visit a page.
  • No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.

If successful

Confidentiality
none
Integrity
none
Availability
high · the service can be disrupted
Attack vector
Local
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality impact
None
Integrity impact
None
Availability impact
High

Weakness class (CWE)

CWE-696 · Incorrect Behavior Order

CVSS vector

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

nvd-primary

Attack context

MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.

ATT&CK techniques

—

Change log

  1. Fix✗ → ✓

For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →

References

Show all references (4 more)

Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.

All records