CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-10143NVD status: Modified

kafka-python: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-10143 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in kafka-python from Dana Powers, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.3.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating kafka-python to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.52% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update kafka-python to 2.3.2 or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Dana Powerskafka-pythonbefore 2.3.22.3.2
Red HatRed Hat Quay 3.10Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Quay 3.12Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Quay 3.15Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Quay 3.16Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Quay 3.9Not specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.08.7HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighCNA

Official description

kafka-python prior to 2.3.2 contains a denial-of-service vulnerability in SCRAM authentication handling that allows a malicious or machine-in-the-middle broker to freeze the client event loop by supplying an excessively large iteration count. In scram.py, ScramClient.process_server_first_message() passes the broker-controlled SCRAM iteration count directly to hashlib.pbkdf2_hmac() without validation, blocking producer sends, consumer polls, admin operations, and heartbeats, which can cause consumer group eviction and repeated reconnect failures.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
  • Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.

More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in kafka-python

All kafka-python vulnerabilities

Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities

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