GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f
Potential Denial-of-Service condition leading to temporary disability in IBC transfers to the native chain
Blast Radius
github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7🐹github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v8🐹github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v4🐹github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v5🐹github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v6Real-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Go packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Impact
Chains using affected versions of Packet Forward Middleware in their IBC Transfer stack are vulnerable to an attack in which there is a potential denial of service. This affects IBC transfers for any asset which is being transferred between another chain and its native chain.
We recommend upgrading as soon as possible.
THIS IS A STATE BREAKING CHANGE
Patches
Versions 7.2.1 and 8.1.1 are patched.
Workarounds
N/A
References
N/A
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7 | all versions | 7.2.1 |
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v8 | all versions | 8.1.1 |
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v4 | all versions | No fix |
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v5 | all versions | No fix |
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v6 | all versions | No fix |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7 to 7.2.1 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f across Go dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.