GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f — v7
GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f is a security vulnerability in github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7. A fix is available for github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7 — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Potential Denial-of-Service condition leading to temporary disability in IBC transfers to the native chain
Real-World Exposure
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 | 7.2.1go get github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v7@v7.2.1 |
| 🐹Go | github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v8 | all versions | 8.1.1go get github.com/cosmos/ibc-apps/middleware/packet-forward-middleware/v8@v8.1.1 |
| 🐹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, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
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
Cap what an attacker can consume: apply request size, rate and timeout limits in front of the affected component, and run it with memory and CPU limits so exhaustion degrades one worker rather than the whole service.
How O3 protects you
O3 Security's impact-aware SCA analyses which vulnerable code paths your application actually calls, so a match like GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f can be triaged on real exposure rather than presence alone.
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 Security finds GHSA-6fgm-x6ff-w78f across Go dependencies, including transitive ones, and its impact-aware SCA ranks findings by whether your code actually calls the vulnerable path.