CVE-2026-41242
In versions prior to 8.0.1 and 7.5.5, attackers can inject arbitrary code in the "type" fields of protobuf definitions, which will then execute during object decoding using that definition.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.77%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
protobufjs compiles protobuf definitions into JavaScript (JS) functions. In versions prior to 8.0.1 and 7.5.5, attackers can inject arbitrary code in the "type" fields of protobuf definitions, which will then execute during object decoding using that definition. Versions 8.0.1 and 7.5.5 patch the issue.
- CVSS 4.0
- 9.4 CRITICALCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/M
- EPSS
- 0.77% probability · 54th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-94
- Affected
- protobufjs project/protobufjs
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
References
- https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/535df444ac060243722ac5d672db205e5c531d75Patch
- https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/ff7b2afef8754837cc6dc64c864cd111ab477956Patch
- https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v7.5.5Product, Release Notes
- https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v8.0.1Product, Release Notes
- https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/security/advisories/GHSA-xq3m-2v4x-88ggExploit, Vendor Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:21338
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:24977
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26234
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:37275
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:62260
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-41242
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2459442
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-41242.json
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.