CVE-2022-48468 in protobuf-c
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2023
protobuf-c before 1.4.1 has an unsigned integer overflow in parse_required_member.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-48468 affects the protobuf-c library version 1.4.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution. This issue stems from an unsigned integer overflow condition within the parse_required_member function, which is a core component responsible for parsing protocol buffer messages. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes malformed or maliciously crafted protocol buffer data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the integer overflow and potentially gain control over affected systems. The protobuf-c library serves as a C implementation of Google's Protocol Buffers, widely used for serializing structured data and enabling communication between different software systems. This library is commonly integrated into network applications, embedded systems, and distributed services where efficient data serialization is critical for system operation.
The technical flaw occurs within the parse_required_member function where an unsigned integer variable undergoes arithmetic operations without proper bounds checking, leading to an overflow condition. When processing protocol buffer messages containing crafted field values, the library attempts to calculate memory allocation sizes or buffer boundaries using an unsigned integer that exceeds its maximum representable value. This overflow causes unexpected behavior in memory management and buffer handling operations, potentially resulting in memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because protocol buffers are commonly used in network protocols and data exchange formats, meaning that any application relying on protobuf-c for message parsing becomes susceptible to this attack vector. The integer overflow creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate input data to cause the system to allocate insufficient memory or access memory locations outside the intended boundaries, opening pathways for memory corruption and potential code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-48468 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can enable sophisticated attack scenarios that compromise system integrity and confidentiality. Applications using vulnerable versions of protobuf-c may experience crashes, data corruption, or more severely, arbitrary code execution when processing malicious input data. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where protobuf-c is used for parsing network traffic, handling user input, or processing data from untrusted sources, making it a significant concern for web applications, network services, and embedded systems. The attack surface is broad since protobuf-c is integrated into numerous software packages and frameworks, potentially affecting thousands of applications across different platforms and operating systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation may enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Organizations running vulnerable software may face data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption, particularly in environments where protobuf-c is used for critical data processing tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48468 primarily involve updating to protobuf-c version 1.4.1 or later, which includes patches addressing the unsigned integer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and verifying that all applications using protobuf-c are updated to secure versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation and sanitization for all protocol buffer data processing, monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns, and employing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors, while conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected software components. The fix implemented in version 1.4.1 typically involves adding proper bounds checking for integer operations and ensuring that memory allocation calculations cannot overflow, thereby preventing the exploitation path that leads to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to identify similar issues in other libraries and dependencies that may pose comparable risks to system security and integrity.