CVE-2019-15544: An issue was discovered in the protobuf crate before 2.6.0 for Rust

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-15544 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rust-protobuf, hbase. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in the protobuf crate before 2.6.0 for Rust. Attackers can exhaust all memory via Vec::reserve calls.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.8% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-770
Published	2019-08-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: apache · rust-protobuf project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-08-26 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rust-protobuf project rust-protobuf UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.7.5 · >= 2.0.0 and < 2.6.0

Fixed in: 1.7.5, 2.6.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rust-protobuf || rpm -q rust-protobuf || rust-protobuf --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.7.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rust-protobuf

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rust-protobuf

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rust-protobuf sudo apt install rust-protobuf=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold rust-protobuf

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rust-protobuf sudo dnf downgrade rust-protobuf-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rust-protobuf

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

apache hbase DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hbase || rpm -q hbase || hbase --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hbase sudo apt install hbase=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.3> sudo apt-mark hold hbase

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list hbase sudo dnf downgrade hbase-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.3> sudo dnf versionlock add hbase

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2019-15544?

rust-protobuf: upgrade to 1.7.5, 2.6.0; hbase: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-15544 being exploited?

CVE-2019-15544 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2019-15544 affect?

CVE-2019-15544 affects rust-protobuf, hbase. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An issue was discovered in the protobuf crate before 2.6.0 for Rust. Attackers can exhaust all memory via Vec::reserve calls.

How urgent is CVE-2019-15544?

Priority 59/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

References

← Back to latest CVEs