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CVE Record

CVE-2023-34451: CometBFT may duplicate transactions in the mempool's data structures

CometBFT is a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) middleware that takes a state transition machine and replicates it on many machines. The mempool maintains two data structures to keep track of outstanding transactions: a list and a map. These two data structures are supposed to be in sync all the time in the sense that the map tracks the index (if any) of the transaction in the list. In `v0.37.0`, and `v0.37.1`, as well as in `v0.34.28`, and all previous releases of the CometBFT repo2, it is possible to have them out of sync. When this happens, the list may contain several copies of the same transaction. Because the map tracks a single index, it is then no longer possible to remove all the copies of the transaction from the list. This happens even if the duplicated transaction is later committed in a block. The only way to remove the transaction is by restarting the node. The above problem can be repeated on and on until a sizable number of transactions are stuck in the mempool, in order to try to bring down the target node. The problem is fixed in releases `v0.34.29` and `v0.37.2`. Some workarounds are available. Increasing the value of `cache_size` in `config.toml` makes it very difficult to effectively attack a full node. Not exposing the transaction submission RPC's would mitigate the probability of a successful attack, as the attacker would then have to create a modified (byzantine) full node to be able to perform the attack via p2p.

HighCVSS 8.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A vulnerable CometBFT node can be made to retain repeated copies of the same transaction in memory. Over time, this can fill the mempool with stuck entries and threaten node availability. The issue is fixed in CometBFT v0.34.29 and v0.37.2.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for public or internet-adjacent CometBFT nodes because it can affect service availability without authentication. Upgrade exposed nodes first, then address internal nodes according to operational importance.

Technical view

The mempool list and map can become inconsistent in affected versions, allowing duplicate transaction entries that cannot all be removed after commit. Repetition can leave many transactions stuck until node restart, creating a denial-of-service risk. CVSS is 8.2 with high availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely for CometBFT deployments running versions earlier than 0.34.29, or v0.37.0 through v0.37.1, especially where transaction submission RPCs are exposed to untrusted networks.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The vendor advisory describes a remotely reachable, unauthenticated availability attack path when transaction submission RPCs are exposed.

Researcher notes

The core condition is desynchronization between mempool list and map state. The advisory names affected ranges and fixed releases, plus cache_size and RPC exposure workarounds. Evidence does not support claiming confidentiality impact or active exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade CometBFT to v0.34.29 or v0.37.2 as applicable.
  • Increase cache_size in config.toml where immediate upgrade is delayed.
  • Avoid exposing transaction submission RPCs to untrusted networks.
  • Use node restart only as temporary recovery for stuck mempool entries.
  • Review vendor guidance before relying on compensating controls.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory CometBFT versions across validators, full nodes, and packaged services.
  • Check whether transaction submission RPC endpoints are reachable from untrusted networks.
  • Review config.toml cache_size values against vendor guidance.
  • Monitor mempool growth, duplicate transaction symptoms, and restart-only recovery events.
  • Confirm upgraded nodes report fixed CometBFT versions.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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cwe · low confidence lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-34451 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.2 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.2CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H3.94.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.2High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-34451Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
cometbftcometbft< 0.34.29, >= 0.37.0, < 0.37.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-401 · source CWE mapping

Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.