# aioxmpp depth counting error in guard

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/aioxmpp-depth-counting-error-in-guard-70646e15  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2019-02-07. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

Severity: info · Published 2019-02-07

aioxmpp is a Python library for XMPP (Jabber) messaging. A depth counting error in the guard() function can lead to remote denial of service or malicious data injection into XMPP message streams. Applications using error-suppressing xso_error_handlers are vulnerable to exploitation.

Technologies: [aioxmpp (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/aioxmpp). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is This vulnerability exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of This vulnerability being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is This vulnerability?** Informational severity, published 7 February 2019.

**Which products and versions are affected?** aioxmpp (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=0.10.3.

**Is there a fix for This vulnerability?** Yes. aioxmpp (PyPI): upgrade to 0.10.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is This vulnerability attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected?** Check whether you run aioxmpp (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- aioxmpp (PyPI): upgrade to 0.10.3 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "aioxmpp>=0.10.3"
  ```


## Technical details

A depth counting error in the guard() function allows improper validation of XMPP stream structures, potentially leading to Denial of Service or Data Injection attacks. The vulnerability requires specific preconditions: an error-suppressing xso_error_handler must be in use. Remote attackers can exploit this via the XMPP protocol to cause denial of service or inject malicious data. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 0.10.3, which contains the fix (PR #268).

## Affected products

- aioxmpp aioxmpp < 0.10.3

## Timeline

- 2019-05-23: disclosed
- 2019-05-23: patched: Version 0.10.3 released with fix

## References

- [https://github.com/horazont/aioxmpp/security/advisories/GHSA-6m9g-jr8c-cqw3](https://github.com/horazont/aioxmpp/security/advisories/GHSA-6m9g-jr8c-cqw3)

## Related threats

- [PYSEC-2019-71 - aioxmpp version 0.10.2 and earlier contains a Improper Handling of Structural Elements vulnerability…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/pysec-2019-71-aioxmpp-version-0-10-2-and-earlier-contains-a-improper-55966327)
- [Depth counting error in guard() leading to multiple potential security issues in aioxmpp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2019-1000007-depth-counting-error-in-guard-leading-to-multiple-potential)