# CosmWasm wasmd uncontrolled resource consumption in ValidateBasic

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cosmwasm-wasmd-uncontrolled-resource-consumption-in-validatebasic-491ec757  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-08-08. Updated: 2026-07-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

Severity: low · CVSS 3.7 · Published 2024-08-08

A vulnerability in the wasmd component of CosmWasm could allow an attacker to cause unexpected resource consumption. By including an excessively large number of addresses in certain message types, an attacker can strain the system during the validation process. This may lead to minor service degradation or increased operational costs, though the overall impact is considered low.

Technologies: [github.com/CosmWasm/wasmd (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-cosmwasm-wasmd). Vendors: [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go).

## 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?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.7, published 8 August 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** CosmWasm Wasmd < 0.52.0; github.com/CosmWasm/wasmd (Go) < 0.52.0.

**Is there a fix for This vulnerability?** A patch was published on 2024-08-08T16:36:26Z. 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 CosmWasm Wasmd or github.com/CosmWasm/wasmd (Go) 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.

## Technical details

A vulnerability classified as CWE-400 (Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) exists in CosmWasm wasmd before version 0.52.0. The root cause is a lack of sufficient limits on the number of addresses that can be included in multiple message types, which are processed by the ValidateBasic function. An attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted messages with a high address count, leading to excessive CPU or memory usage during validation. While the attack complexity is high, it can be initiated over the network without prior authentication. The issue is addressed in wasmd version 0.52.0.

## Affected products

- CosmWasm wasmd < 0.52.0

## Timeline

- 2024-08-08: advisory
- 2024-08-08: patched

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi](https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi)
- [https://github.com/sushiwushi](https://github.com/sushiwushi)
- [https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/repos](https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/45194995?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/45194995?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/sushiwushi/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [GO-2025-3755 - CWA-2025-006: wasmd's improper error handling may lead to IBC channel opening despite error in…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/go-2025-3755-cwa-2025-006-wasmd-s-improper-error-handling-may-lead-to-4ecd8f0e)
- [CWA-2025-006: wasmd's improper error handling may lead to IBC channel opening despite error](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cwa-2025-006-wasmd-s-improper-error-handling-may-lead-to-ibc-channel-0b925221)
- [GO-2024-3319 - Simulation of Wasmd message can cause crashing in github.com/CosmWasm/wasmd](https://junglewise.ai/threats/go-2024-3319-simulation-of-wasmd-message-can-cause-crashing-in-github-e9d787ca)
- [Simulation of Wasmd message can cause crashing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/simulation-of-wasmd-message-can-cause-crashing-e4a682b8)
- [GO-2024-3081 - CWA-2024-006: wasmd non-deterministic module_query_safe query in github.com/CosmWasm/wasmd](https://junglewise.ai/threats/go-2024-3081-cwa-2024-006-wasmd-non-deterministic-module-query-safe-2aee1827)