SurrealDB has unauthenticated remote DoS via malformed RPC `use` call
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-248.
Summary
A single unauthenticated WebSocket message to `/rpc` crashed the SurrealDB server. Sending `use { db: "x" }` without first selecting a namespace hit `.expect("namespace should be set")` in the `use` handler; because `surrealdb-core` is built with `panic = 'abort'`, the panic terminated the process. `use` is callable before `signin`, and the per-method capability check passes by default for guest callers — so no credentials, token, or `--allow-guests` flag are required. ### Impact An unauthenticated remote attacker who could reach the `/rpc` endpoint could crash the SurrealDB server with a single WebSocket message. No credentials, token, session knowledge, or capability are required. ### Patches A patch has been introduced that returns a typed `invalid_params` response when `db` is set on a session with no `ns`, replacing the panic. - Versions 3.1.0 and later are not affected by this issue. ### Workarounds Affected users who are unable to update should restrict network access to the `/rpc` endpoint to trusted clients, and run SurrealDB under a process supervisor that restarts on crash.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | surrealdb (crates.io) | before 3.1.0 | 3.1.0 | Patch available | GHSA-wjjj-24cx-f28g |
- surrealdb (crates.io) Vendor— Affected before 3.1.0 Fixed in 3.1.0 Patch available GHSA-wjjj-24cx-f28g
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-wjjj-24cx-f28g surrealdb (crates.io) Fixed in 3.1.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-wjjj-24cx-f28g
References
Sources
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