## Overview `W3CBaggagePropagator.extract()` in `@opentelemetry/core` does not enforce size limits when parsing inbound `baggage` HTTP headers. The W3C Baggage specification recommends a maximum of 8,192 bytes and 180 entries; these limits were only enforced on the outbound (`inject()`) path, not on the inbound (`extract()`) path. Parsing oversized baggage causes memory allocation proportional to the header size without any cap. ## Impact The practical availability impact for most Node.js deployments is limited. Node.js enforces a default `--max-http-header-size` of 16,384 bytes on the total combined size of all HTTP headers, constraining what an external attacker can deliver before the propagator is reached. Additionally, the header is already in memory (parsed by the HTTP layer) by the time it reaches the propagator - the additional allocation is the overhead of splitting into entry objects, not an unbounded read. The risk is higher when transport-layer limits are absent - e.g., non-HTTP transports (messaging systems, custom `TextMapGetter` implementations) or deployments that have raised `--max-http-header-size`. ## Remediation Update `@opentelemetry/core` to version 2.8.0 or later. The fix enforces limits consistent with the W3C Baggage specification at the propagator level: - Maximum total baggage size: 8,192 bytes - Maximum number of entries: 180 - Maximum per-entry size: 4,096 bytes Headers that exceed these limits are truncated at the point the limit is reached. ## Workarounds Ensure header size limits are configured at the server or gateway level. The default Node.js HTTP header limit (16 KB) mitigates external attack vectors independently of this fix. For non-HTTP transports receiving baggage from untrusted sources, validate input size before passing it to the propagator. ## References - [W3C Baggage Specification - Limits](https://www.w3.org/TR/baggage/#limits) - opentelemetry-java: [GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java/security/advisories/GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx) - opentelemetry-go: [GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/security/advisories/GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475) ## Credit Reported by tonghuaroot.
## Overview `W3CBaggagePropagator.extract()` in `@opentelemetry/core` does not enforce size limits when parsing inbound `baggage` HTTP headers. The W3C Baggage specification recommends a maximum of 8,192 bytes and 180 entries; these limits were only enforced on the outbound (`inject()`) path, not on the inbound (`extract()`) path. Parsing oversized baggage causes memory allocation proportional to the header size without any cap. ## Impact The practical availability impact for most Node.js deployments is limited. Node.js enforces a default `--max-http-header-size` of 16,384 bytes on the total combined size of all HTTP headers, constraining what an external attacker can deliver before the propagator is reached. Additionally, the header is already in memory (parsed by the HTTP layer) by the time it reaches the propagator - the additional allocation is the overhead of splitting into entry objects, not an unbounded read. The risk is higher when transport-layer limits are absent - e.g., non-HTTP transports (messaging systems, custom `TextMapGetter` implementations) or deployments that have raised `--max-http-header-size`. ## Remediation Update `@opentelemetry/core` to version 2.8.0 or later. The fix enforces limits consistent with the W3C Baggage specification at the propagator level: - Maximum total baggage size: 8,192 bytes - Maximum number of entries: 180 - Maximum per-entry size: 4,096 bytes Headers that exceed these limits are truncated at the point the limit is reached. ## Workarounds Ensure header size limits are configured at the server or gateway level. The default Node.js HTTP header limit (16 KB) mitigates external attack vectors independently of this fix. For non-HTTP transports receiving baggage from untrusted sources, validate input size before passing it to the propagator. ## References - [W3C Baggage Specification - Limits](https://www.w3.org/TR/baggage/#limits) - opentelemetry-java: [GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java/security/advisories/GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx) - opentelemetry-go: [GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/security/advisories/GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475) ## Credit Reported by tonghuaroot.
Update @opentelemetry/core to 2.8.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanOpenTelemetry Core: Unbounded memory allocation in W3C Baggage propagation affects @opentelemetry/core (npm). Severity is medium. ## Overview `W3CBaggagePropagator.extract()` in `@opentelemetry/core` does not enforce size limits when parsing inbound `baggage` HTTP headers. The W3C Baggage specification recommends a maximum of 8,192 bytes and 180 entries; these limits were only enforced on the outbound (`inject()`) path, not on the inbound (`extract()`) path. Parsing oversized baggage causes memory allocation proportional to the header size without any cap. ## Impact The practical availability impact for most Node.js deployments is limited. Node.js enforces a default `--max-http-header-size` of 16,384 bytes on the total combined size of all HTTP headers, constraining what an external attacker can deliver before the propagator is reached. Additionally, the header is already in memory (parsed by the HTTP layer) by the time it reaches the propagator - the additional allocation is the overhead of splitting into entry objects, not an unbounded read. The risk is higher when transport-layer limits are absent - e.g., non-HTTP transports (messaging systems, custom `TextMapGetter` implementations) or deployments that have raised `--max-http-header-size`. ## Remediation Update `@opentelemetry/core` to version 2.8.0 or later. The fix enforces limits consistent with the W3C Baggage specification at the propagator level: - Maximum total baggage size: 8,192 bytes - Maximum number of entries: 180 - Maximum per-entry size: 4,096 bytes Headers that exceed these limits are truncated at the point the limit is reached. ## Workarounds Ensure header size limits are configured at the server or gateway level. The default Node.js HTTP header limit (16 KB) mitigates external attack vectors independently of this fix. For non-HTTP transports receiving baggage from untrusted sources, validate input size before passing it to the propagator. ## References - [W3C Baggage Specification - Limits](https://www.w3.org/TR/baggage/#limits) - opentelemetry-java: [GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java/security/advisories/GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx) - opentelemetry-go: [GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/security/advisories/GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475) ## Credit Reported by tonghuaroot.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in npm. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| @opentelemetry/corenpm | <2.8.0 | 2.8.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL GuardUpdate @opentelemetry/core to 2.8.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scanOpenTelemetry Core: Unbounded memory allocation in W3C Baggage propagation affects @opentelemetry/core (npm). Severity is medium. ## Overview `W3CBaggagePropagator.extract()` in `@opentelemetry/core` does not enforce size limits when parsing inbound `baggage` HTTP headers. The W3C Baggage specification recommends a maximum of 8,192 bytes and 180 entries; these limits were only enforced on the outbound (`inject()`) path, not on the inbound (`extract()`) path. Parsing oversized baggage causes memory allocation proportional to the header size without any cap. ## Impact The practical availability impact for most Node.js deployments is limited. Node.js enforces a default `--max-http-header-size` of 16,384 bytes on the total combined size of all HTTP headers, constraining what an external attacker can deliver before the propagator is reached. Additionally, the header is already in memory (parsed by the HTTP layer) by the time it reaches the propagator - the additional allocation is the overhead of splitting into entry objects, not an unbounded read. The risk is higher when transport-layer limits are absent - e.g., non-HTTP transports (messaging systems, custom `TextMapGetter` implementations) or deployments that have raised `--max-http-header-size`. ## Remediation Update `@opentelemetry/core` to version 2.8.0 or later. The fix enforces limits consistent with the W3C Baggage specification at the propagator level: - Maximum total baggage size: 8,192 bytes - Maximum number of entries: 180 - Maximum per-entry size: 4,096 bytes Headers that exceed these limits are truncated at the point the limit is reached. ## Workarounds Ensure header size limits are configured at the server or gateway level. The default Node.js HTTP header limit (16 KB) mitigates external attack vectors independently of this fix. For non-HTTP transports receiving baggage from untrusted sources, validate input size before passing it to the propagator. ## References - [W3C Baggage Specification - Limits](https://www.w3.org/TR/baggage/#limits) - opentelemetry-java: [GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java/security/advisories/GHSA-rcgg-9c38-7xpx) - opentelemetry-go: [GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/security/advisories/GHSA-mh2q-q3fh-2475) ## Credit Reported by tonghuaroot.
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in npm. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| @opentelemetry/corenpm | <2.8.0 | 2.8.0 |
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard