Summary
protobuf.js (aka protobufjs) 6.10.0 until 6.11.4 and 7.0.0 until 7.2.4 allows Prototype Pollution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2022-25878. A user-controlled protobuf message can be used by an attacker to pollute the prototype of Object.prototype by adding and overwriting its data and functions. Exploitation can involve: (1) using the function parse to parse protobuf messages on the fly, (2) loading .proto files by using load/loadSync functions, or (3) providing untrusted input to the functions ReflectionObject.setParsedOption and util.setProperty. NOTE: this CVE Record is about Object.constructor.prototype.<new-property> = ...; whereas CVE-2022-25878 was about Object.__proto__.<new-property> = ...; instead.
Impact
CVE-2023-36665 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (6.11.4, 7.2.5); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
protobufjs to 6.11.4 or later; protobufjs to 7.2.5 or later
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2023-36665? CVE-2023-36665 is a critical-severity security vulnerability in protobufjs (npm), affecting versions >= 6.10.0, < 6.11.4. It is fixed in 6.11.4, 7.2.5.
- How severe is CVE-2023-36665? CVE-2023-36665 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of protobufjs are affected by CVE-2023-36665? protobufjs (npm) versions >= 6.10.0, < 6.11.4 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2023-36665? Yes. CVE-2023-36665 is fixed in 6.11.4, 7.2.5. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2023-36665 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-36665 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2023-36665 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-36665?
- Upgrade
protobufjsto 6.11.4 or later - Upgrade
protobufjsto 7.2.5 or later
- Upgrade