serde_with: KeyValueMap serialization panics on empty sequence or map entries
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
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
### Summary The public `KeyValueMap` serializer assumes that each mapped element has at least one field or item to use as the map key, but it subtracts `1` from the caller-visible length before validating that assumption. An application that serializes attacker-controlled data through `#[serde_as(as = "KeyValueMap<_>")]` can be crashed by an empty inner sequence or map entry. ### Details The affected public surface includes: - Serialization of `#[serde_as(as = "KeyValueMap<_>")]` values through `serde_json::to_string` or any other Serde serializer` - Public `KeyValueMap` conversions for sequence and map-backed entries` The root cause is: The `KeyValueMap` serializer preallocating `Vec::with_capacity(len - 1)` or `Vec::with_capacity(len.unwrap_or(17) - 1)` before checking that the element actually contains the required first key field or item. The vulnerable data/control flow is: attacker-controlled empty entry -> `serde_json::to_string` -> `KeyValueMap<TAs>::serialize_as` -> `SeqAsMapSerializer::{serialize_seq,serialize_map}` -> `Vec::with_capacity(len - 1)` or `Vec::with_capacity(len.unwrap_or(17) - 1)` -> panic Relevant source locations: - `serde_with/src/key_value_map.rs:590` - `serde_with/src/key_value_map.rs:599` - `serde_with/src/key_value_map.rs:613` - `serde_with/src/key_value_map.rs:632` - `serde_with/src/key_value_map.rs:648` ### PoC ```rust /* [dependencies] serde = {version = "*", features = ["derive"]} serde_with = "*" serde_json = "*" */ use serde::Serialize; use serde_with::{serde_as, KeyValueMap}; #[derive(Serialize)] #[serde(transparent)] struct Seq(Vec<String>); #[serde_as] #[derive(Serialize)] #[serde(transparent)] struct KVMap { #[serde_as(as = "KeyValueMap<_>")] foo: Vec<Seq>, } fn main() { let value = KVMap { foo: vec![Seq(Vec::new())], }; let _ = serde_json::to_string(&value).unwrap(); } ``` ### Impact A local attacker who can trigger serialization of attacker-controlled data through `KeyValueMap` can terminate the process, causing a denial of service.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | serde_with (crates.io) | 2.3.0 to before 3.21.0 | 3.21.0 | Patch available | GHSA-7gcf-g7xr-8hxj |
- serde_with (crates.io) Vendor— Affected 2.3.0 to before 3.21.0 Fixed in 3.21.0 Patch available GHSA-7gcf-g7xr-8hxj
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-7gcf-g7xr-8hxj serde_with (crates.io) Fixed in 3.21.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-7gcf-g7xr-8hxj
References
Other 6
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with/security/advisories/GHSA-7gcf-g7xr-8hxj
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with/pull/966
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with/commit/c8a1d820ea25df01692b367058d587343e199389
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with/compare/v2.2.0...v2.3.0
- https://github.com/jonasbb/serde_with/releases/tag/v3.21.0
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences