CVE-2026-41242
protobufjs has an arbitrary code execution issue
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.
INFO
Published Date :
April 18, 2026, 5:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
April 23, 2026, 3:26 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | CRITICAL | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update protobufjs to version 8.0.1 or later.
- Update protobufjs to version 7.5.5 or later.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-41242 has a 2 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-41242.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-41242 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-41242
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
some simple node.js web app with PoC code for CVE-2026-41242
JavaScript
None
JavaScript TypeScript Python HTML
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-41242 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-41242 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Apr. 23, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:protobufjs_project:protobufjs:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* versions up to (excluding) 7.5.5 *cpe:2.3:a:protobufjs_project:protobufjs:8.0.0:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/535df444ac060243722ac5d672db205e5c531d75 Types: Patch Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/ff7b2afef8754837cc6dc64c864cd111ab477956 Types: Patch Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v7.5.5 Types: Product, Release Notes Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v8.0.1 Types: Product, Release Notes Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/security/advisories/GHSA-xq3m-2v4x-88gg Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Apr. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added 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. Added CVSS V4.0 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/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CWE CWE-94 Added Reference https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/535df444ac060243722ac5d672db205e5c531d75 Added Reference https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/ff7b2afef8754837cc6dc64c864cd111ab477956 Added Reference https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v7.5.5 Added Reference https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/releases/tag/protobufjs-v8.0.1 Added Reference https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/security/advisories/GHSA-xq3m-2v4x-88gg